Samuel Paton Completes Family Legacy as Class Act Awardee

On Thursday, March 15, 2024, 17-year-old Samuel Paton will be honored as the final Class Act recipient in his family, continuing a tradition of excellence at East Otago High School. Samuel joins his siblings—Hannah, Luke, and Abigail—who have all previously received this prestigious award, recognizing outstanding achievement among students in Otago.

The Class Act Awards, presented by the Otago Daily Times, celebrate the accomplishments of students from local schools. This year marks the 26th iteration of the awards, with 56 recipients set to receive accolades from New Zealand’s Prime Minister Christopher Luxon at a ceremony in Dunedin.

A Family of Achievers

The Paton family has made a significant mark at East Otago High School. Hannah, the eldest sibling, was a Class Act recipient in 2019 and is now a physiotherapist in Gore. Luke, known for his musical talents, received the award in 2021 and is currently engaged in missionary work overseas. Abigail, the youngest, was honored in 2023 and plays for the Otago Spirit rugby team.

Samuel reflects on the pressure of following in their footsteps but emphasizes that the motivation has always been intrinsic. “My siblings set a very high bar to achieve,” he stated, “but any pressure came from myself.” He appreciates the support from his siblings, who never made him feel inadequate if he did not meet their accolades. “It’s sort of a bit of a prestige in the sense that you do have to work quite hard to be recognized by your school community.”

Values Beyond Achievements

Traci and Paul Paton, Samuel’s parents, express immense pride in all their children. They stress that their family values extend beyond academic and athletic achievements. “It’s about trying your best. Stay in your own lane, do your best,” Mrs. Paton stated. She believes that identity should come from more than just accomplishments. “Ours comes from God.”

Mr. Paton echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that character is more important than accolades. “I’ve told the children that your character is more important than how much you achieve, and I’m proud of you for who you are, not so much what you do.”

The Paton family appreciates their rural community and the opportunities it has provided. Despite the challenges of keeping their children in a local school, they value the close-knit environment that fosters participation in sports, speech competitions, and youth groups. Mrs. Paton reflects on her pride in her children’s camaraderie, recalling moments when they sang together while doing dishes. “That would probably be my proudest time: more than getting an award is just seeing them get along.”

As Samuel prepares to graduate, he and his family face a significant transition. While Mrs. Paton acknowledges that she does not wish for her children to stay at home forever, she expresses a bittersweet sentiment about missing their togetherness. “I love family, and there’s this dynamic with our family that when everybody’s together, it’s really fun,” she remarked.

Samuel’s recognition as the final Class Act recipient in the family not only highlights individual achievements but also underscores the strength and support of family ties in shaping their futures.