The two photos above are of the same person about six months apart - Elyjana Roach, this year's head girl at Tawa College. Her leadership role has seen her involved with organising "Survivor Challenge" at the school, and a subsequent public exhibition at which her long hair was completely shorn off, all for a good cause. Her sacrifice raised a total of $10,000 for World Vision.

Mr Lucas, Tawa College principal, has this to say: "Elyjana has been an excellent head girl. She has a real service ethic and relates well to people of all ages and all backgrounds. She is an enthusiast who can inspire others and always gives one hundred percent to everything she is involved in. Elyjana has real integrity and is determined to continue to make a positive difference to the school community and the wider world."

Where were you born, Elyjana?
Island Bay, Wellington (home birth).

Where did you grow up?
We moved to Ascot Park when I was one and I've lived there ever since. Been there for 17 years.

What schools have you been at?
I went to Linden School for one year, then I was at Postgate School for two years. From there to Kapiti Christian School for one year, then I was home schooled for three years - I think it was three years - then I went to Pauatahanui School for year 8. Then to Tawa College.

What subjects are you doing this year at college?
I'm doing Maths Calculus, Physics, Graphics, Art Painting and Photography.

What are you hoping to do when you leave school?
I want to study architecture at Victoria. I've always known that I wanted to do that and to eventually have my own firm. And I want to use the money I get from architecture to build an orphanage in a third world country. I've always had a passion for third world countries.

What does being a head student actually involve, any particular responsibilities?
For me, I think my own objective is to form relationships that are valuable to students, to encourage them to be involved and to succeed in their own paths. On a practical note, we are involved in assemblies where we do readings on specific subjects and organise things. Organise a lot of things. But it's all fun and go. For example, I had the chance to help arrange the Survivor Challenge for 2011 which raised money for World Vision. That was super exhausting and mega exciting.

What about family?
I live with my mother and father, my younger brother who comes to Tawa College and younger sister.

What are your interests/hobbies?
"I wish I did mountain climbing." My interests? I love God which means that I'm involved in a lot of church events. I like to write as in writing poetry. I like to hang out with young people. I sing in most of the choruses at Tawa College and in a barbershop quartet. We came fourth in the Barbershop Nationals in Wellington last month. I play the piano and a little bit of guitar.

What do you like about Tawa College?
I like the level of expectation from teachers and just the general atmosphere to do well. I like the involvement in extracurricular activities, although I think there could be more students involved in extracurricular activities as well as the academic side of school.

What is your favourite dessert?
"Everything." I love desserts. If I had a choice I'd probably eat more dessert than I'd eat main meal. I have a very sweet tooth.

Favourite sports team and/or sportsperson?
Probably Graham Henry because he must have to put up with a lot of pressure with the All Blacks doing well in the World Cup. And the All Blacks. I like watching rugby and rugby league. Partly for the sport and for the crowd. The crowds are fun.

Favourite musical group and/or style of music?
I practically love any sort of music, from classical to jazz, to R&B and gospel. "Opera?" - Ed. "Yeah, even opera if it's on the radio." Hiphop, the normal "this generation" music I guess, except that gets boring. I listen to a lot of Aaliyah and to Drake. That is all.

Favourite holiday destination in New Zealand?
Anywhere away from home. Something away from the city. As cliché as it sounds, somewhere near the beach or water.

Favourite quote or saying?
One is from a little happiness book I got for my birthday from my friends last year. It says: "The time to be happy is now. The place to be happy is here." It's a lovely phrase.

If you could meet any two or three people (alive or dead), who would they be?
Leonardo Da Vinci. He was a painter and an architect as well. He was a scientist too.
Mozart. He composed his first piece when he was about five. Very talented. I wish I was like him. I think he shaped the music of today.
And my grandfather, my dad's dad who I never got to meet. He lived in Tasmania, and was a missionary in Papua New Guinea.

What two or three things would you take with you if you were stuck on a desert island?
A piano. And a pen and paper to write on.

What is one talent you would like that you do not have?
Supersonic memory. To remember everything that I hear, see or read from textbooks, to facts, to where things are. Everything. "My short term memory isn't that great."

What is one talent you have that you could not do without?
I think being able to include others in whatever's happening.

Any accomplishments/achievements in your life (to date) that give you much satisfaction/pride?
Probably shaving my hair off for World Vision in June, on my dad's birthday. My hair went from this length [indicates low on her back] to this [indicates shorter than present length]. And being able to use that opportunity to inspire other young people. [It happened] in the school hall at a lunchtime when about a hundred or so kids came and I had the opportunity to share with them about Jesus. "I was bald. It was after the Formal of course! Two days after, to be exact."

What are two or three things you would like to achieve in the years ahead?
To make a million dollars by the age of 21 - for third world countries.
To adopt children from less privileged places.
And to travel across Europe.


Compiled August 2011.