Roxanne represents the country

ROXANNE Govinden, a grade 12 pupil at Marburg Secondary, attended the 27th International Biology Olympiad (IBO) in Hanoi, Vietnam recently.

The Olympiad is a competition for high school pupils and all countries taking part send their top pupils, who are winners of their respective National Biology Olympiad (NBO).

Roxanne was one of four pupils from KwaZulu-Natal who represented South Africa. Just a few days before Roxanne’s departure, her father, Nicky, died. She almost changed her mind, but her dad was so thrilled when he heard his daughter had been selected that she attended the event to honour him.

She was accompanied by her mother Evelyn. Roxanne has consistently displayed outstanding leadership qualities in school and out. She excels academically and in extracurricular activities. She has also obtained first place in her grades annually, represents the district in speech contests and came second in a recycling competition.

This young and talented teenager also took fourth place in South African Natural Life and Physical Science Olympiad, the first pupil in the history of the school to be placed fourth, as well as being the only pupil in the top four from a public school.

She was chosen to be part of the team for Vietnam after obtaining fifth position in the country. Speaking on her trip, Roxanne had all praise for Vietnam.

Hanoi, where all the pupils stayed, was stunning with all its natural landscapes, diverse ecosystems, unique traditional culture and people.

“To represent my country and my school at the Olympiad was a great achievement for me. Yes, the food in Vietnam was a bit weird but, after 10 days, one gets used to it,” she said. She added that she had learned a lot about science, made friends, enjoyed the experience and meeting pupils from 65 countries.

“The Olympiad aims to provide us pupils with an educational experience, as well as promote an interest in biology. It also aims to stimulate talented young people in the field of biology and help them on their way to a career in biological research,” she said.

When asked what career she would pursue, her answer was surprising – she has chosen to become a chartered accountant.

“Yes, I have chosen accounting because I am something of a ‘number cruncher’,” she said.

Roxanne thanked all her sponsors and school for making her trip a memorable one. The next IBO in 2017 will be hosted by the United Kingdom.

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