Lily French — Bachelor of Science — Auckland University of Technology

Lily is a queer and Māori student with a love for the natural environment. Because of this passion, she will be pursuing a Bachelor of Science at AUT majoring in Marine and Environmental Science. Her future goals are to use her degree to make a meaningful difference in the upcoming climate crisis and help the health and conservation of New Zealand’s precious ecosystems.

During high school, Lily always strived for academic excellence in which she achieved NCEA level one and two excellence endorsements, as well as receiving prize and distinction in a wide range of her classes. Lily was a leader of the International Committee, her badminton team’s captain for 3 years consecutively and took part in the environmental committee’s weekly recycling. Due to her involvement, Lily was awarded her school’s Ron Shakespeare Cup for her contributions to the community.

Lily was also a member of her school’s LGBTQ+ club. During schools’ pride week, she contributed to organising the numerous pride events and activities that were organised by this group. Her school’s LGBTQ+ group also succeeded in pushing for a gender-neutral bathroom and uniform which is coming in place in 2024.