2009 Making Their Mark Recipients

A structural geologist, a paediatrician turned writer, an aeronautics professor and a UNICEF representative have all been celebrated at the St Cuthbert’s College annual Making Their Mark awards. Vicky Watson, General Manager of the Sir Peter Blake Trust and a key pioneer behind the annual leadership week, attended the breakfast, which is one of 65 leadership events run throughout the country during leadership week.
She believes one of Sir Peter’s greatest characteristics to be emulated is courage. “There would have been a few people, after four attempts and four losses on the Whitbread, who would have thought [Sir Peter] had taken enough risks with people’s money, and to give up. But in fact he kept going. He had that courage to still believe he could do it.”

The breakfast came in the wake of wonderful news that a 2008 Making Their Mark recipient, Rachel Paris, was one of this year’s Sir Peter Blake Leadership Award recipients.

Dr Virginia Toy

Dr Virginia Toy, is a lecturer in structural geology at the University of Otago and involved in numerous research projects and community, university and company services.
After completing school, a degree, two masters and a PhD, Virginia never anticipated she would be a teacher.
“It has given me a new appreciation for the amount of time and energy that my teachers must have put into me in the past. I know that they work really long hours to provide us with the opportunities that we have and I wanted to say thank you for that.”

Dr Renee Liang

Specialist paediatrician Dr Renée Liang, is also a poet, playwright and writer, with a particular interest in youth health. Her plays Lantern, Mask and The Bone Feeder are being performed this year.
She endorsed the commonality and mark of success that comes with having more than one career.
“It’s not unusual and it’s not haphazard either. It is in fact something that is quite a logical progression.”
She suggested students build on their school bases, follow their strengths, but most of all follow their “bliss” – something that has certainly happened in her life.
In January, Renee was chosen as one of 12 representatives from NZ to take part in the Emerging Pacific Leaders Forum 2010.
The Emerging Pacific Leaders Dialogue is a regional "meeting of minds" designed to foster the next generation of Pacific leaders. It's been organised by Commonwealth Study Conference alumni and is supported by governments and organisations in the region.

* promotion of regional understanding and co-operation through an improved network of key relationships across sectors and nations."
Taken from www.epld2.com

Dr Karen Willcox

Dr Karen Willcox, designs future aircraft and at the age of 32 was promoted to Associate Professor of Aeronautics at Massachusetts Institute of Technology – where she gained her Masters and PhD.
She has worked at NASA Dryden Flight Research Centre, in the middle of the Californian desert, and at Boeing Phantom Works where she assisted with the development of “the blended wing body” – an environmentally friendly futuristic aircraft, yet to be seen flying.
She spoke of the joy she gets from her teaching role and the importance of service to a professional person.
“It’s incredibly important, whether it’s serving on committees to advise politicians or companies or whether it’s being an editor for a journal…there are just so many places you can serve and be involved in.”