Hoërskool Jan Viljoen High School’s 2026 Representative Council of Learners (RCL) deputy head, Helena Benecke, is making her final school year count through leadership, academics, culture, and sport.

For Helena, leadership is about more than holding a title. She sees her role as an opportunity to serve the school, represent fellow learners and be someone they can approach.

Working alongside RCL head boy Luthando Mpanjukelwa, Helena says they support each other and keep God at the centre of their leadership.

She has consistently ranked among the school’s top academic learners and earned 10 full colours across academics, sport and culture during her first two years of high school. She also received three laurel tokens, a special blazer and was appointed as a school ambassador.

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Her cultural achievements include two years of national recognition for singing, several RACA section wins and being named Culture Girl of the Grade from Grade Eight to Grade 11.

In sport, Helena has represented South Africa in jukskei for the past three years, as well as Gauteng and the West Rand. She has also served as a team captain and coached the West Rand U13 A2 team.

In athletics, she competes in shot put, javelin and discus and has been named Sport Girl of the Year for the past three years. Despite her achievements, Helena believes success is about participating, giving her best and making the most of every opportunity.

She hopes to be remembered as an approachable and supportive leader who genuinely cared about her school and fellow learners.

After matric, she plans to pursue a career in occupational therapy, where she hopes to continue making a meaningful difference in people’s lives.

Read a more in-depth article in the Randfontein Herald’s August 28 edition.