Seventeen-year-old Nate Woods juggles many activities outside his academic studies, including as a cadet in Hato Hone St John.
He has been a member of St John for 12 years and this year, has been named Hato Hone St John South Island Regional Cadet of the Year.
“I got into St John through a friend who was joining and invited me along to have a look.
‘‘So, we, at the ripe age of six, had our first night together and are both still in the programme,” he said.
Nate, who is a head prefect at Ashburton College, completed his Grand Prior Award last year with St John.
It is the highest accolade a cadet can achieve and included completing 100 hours community service hours. While Nate covers the South Island in his new role, there are two North Island Regional Cadets.
All of them have a deputy.
‘‘We are there to give youth a voice in St John, to advocate for youth and promote St John to younger people,’’ Nate said.
Nate’s deputy is Cassandra Garnett from West Melton.
The regional leadership positions are a one year appointment.
‘‘I applied for the role. There were 12 of us shortlisted for a hui,’’ Nate said.
That hui was the making a difference (MAD) hui where attendees did a series of tasks and tests including interviews and a 10-minute presentation on the future of St John Youth.
It was held over a weekend at Waddington. Its theme was leading with integrity, inspiring with enthusiasm.
Nate enjoyed the selection camp and meeting new people.
In his role he will travel around the South Island visiting St John Youth at divisions, competitions and ceremonies.
There will also be promotion of St John Youth.
‘‘When I was younger I looked up to those in positions like this and now I want to ensure I am a good role model for the younger ones looking up to me,’’ Nate said.
Outside of St John, Nate is also a smallbore rifle national champion and when time allows a volunteer at St Vincent de Paul op shop in Ashburton.
‘‘It’s been tricky to juggle everything, but it’s nothing I can’t handle.
‘‘I am fortunate to have understanding teachers,’’ Nate said.
At St John Mid Canterbury he is also a cadet leader, which is the highest rank a cadet can hold.
It’s a role he enjoys, especially the drill with its discipline, the formal ceremonial components, making friends and being pushed outside of his comfort zone.
That includes taking up an 18-month intern role in the National Health Care policy and governance portfolio.
St John has 10 portfolios and each one has two interns.
‘‘Being an intern is going great. I am enjoying seeing how decisions are made and being part of making them,’’ Nate said.
Future plans include a gap year after high school before heading to Massey University to study aviation.
Nate said as an eight-year-old he had great aspirations of one day being an international airline pilot.
