Living up to the values and principles taught at John Paul College has been a guiding light for Sophie Smallbone.

Sophie started at the Rotorua Catholic school in Year 7 and has just finished her final Year 13.

She was honoured to be a Prefect and one of two Lasallian captains as well as the student representative on the Board of Trustees.

She says what she's accomplished working with the Board is her proudest accomplishment during her time at John Paul College.

'My big focus was handling the perspective the school had on not going to university straight after school and being more accepting of gap years and other career choices rather than just university.

'I do believe I made a difference on that which I was really proud of. I found the Board was really accepting of me and students were really happy with what I was doing. They were coming up with ideas they wanted me to put forward for them.”

Sophie is passionate about helping others and has been involved in a variety of community projects including co-ordinating the Breakfast Club at Sunset Primary School.

Travelling overseas to support a Lasallian kindergarten in Cambodia was a major highlight.

'That was definitely a once in a lifetime trip. It was so exciting and so much fun. The kindergarten was a Lasallian kindergarten with the same values as our school. It is one of our sister schools.

'The kids from the village aged 3-5 would come and we helped with their English and their Maths and just played games with them like soccer and basketball. They just loved it.

'It was one of those things when you just didn't want to leave. There were many tears shed when we all left. It was an incredible experience.”

Brewing wonderful coffee is one of Sophie's favourite activities.

In the last two years, she has won gold at regional Barista competitions and scored a bronze medal at national level.

She says she has been obsessed with coffee for years and really got into making it in the last two years.

So what is the key to a great cup of coffee Sophie?

'Making sure the milk has no bubbles or slight texture to it so it is smooth and glossy would be my tip.”

* The annual Young Achievers awards are sponsored by the Rotorua Energy Charitable Trust (RECT) for success across sports, cultural, community, academic and leadership fields.