OBHS, 21 September 2026
Class Act 2026
The Otago Daily Times Class Act initiative identifies and celebrates the excellence of young people in our province.
This year the Otago Boys' High School recipients are Will Cone and Alexis Owen. Congratulations to these fine young men.
Will Cone
Achievements:
Service Prefect (2026); chair of Joint Dunedin Student Council (2025 -26),; youth rep on the Centre CIty Advisory Group (2025-26); NCEA level 1 and 2 (excellence); year11 and year 12 centurion (100% pass rate); choir (2026); Relay for Life leader (2026); finalist in Otago regional Rockquest (2026); student council(2022-2026), chair (2025-26); senior debating (2024-26); head of junior and senior debating (2024-26); library service (2022-26); member of the Ministry of Education Southern Rangatahi Advisory Group (2024-26); school production (2025); Gibson Memorial Cup and community service award (2025); Sommerville Memorial Cup for services to debating (2025); Morris Prize for creative writing (2025); F.H. Campbell Memorial year 12 essay prize (2025); academic blues (2024-25); 300 SVA hours; debating blue (2024).
Role Model: His parents, Jared and Michelle
Hopes for the future: To be a teacher and hopefully publish some collections of poetry.
Alexis Owen
Achievements:
Deputy head prefect (2026); NCEA level 1 and 2 (excellence); year 12 and 11 centurion (100% pass rate); New Zealand junior team selection (Brazil 2023, El Salvador 2024, Peru 2025, El Salvador 2026); under 18 national surfing circuit winner (2025-26); youngest open men's New Zealand national surf champ (2025); sports blues (2025); under 18 national title (2025); under 18 New Zealand national junior surf champ (2025); 3rd Lennox Heads International Junior Open (2024-25); New Zealand world junior representative (2023-25); 4th 2024 World ISA junior surf champs; under 16 circuit winner (2024); under 16 national title (2023); sport dux (2023); under 14 national titles (2020 and 2022).
Role Model: His parents, Jackie and Rhys
Hopes for the future: To make either the 2028 or the 2032 Olympics for surfing.