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Article that appeared in the E.P. Herald - Matric of the Year 2009
Dale McCarthy
WITH impeccable time management and passion for everything he takes on, this year’s Weekend Post Matric of the Year overall winner has managed not only to shine in the classroom, but also on the sports field and on the cultural and community service front.
Victoria Park High School pupil Dale McCarthy was named this year’s overall winner at a gala awards ceremony at the Boardwalk in Port Elizabeth on Monday evening.
Dale, 18, couldn’t believe it when his name was called out as this year’s winner. “I never thought I’d be the overall winner. I was hoping for the Academic category award,” he said.
The next morning however, when everything had sunk in, he woke up with a smile on his face and knew exactly what he wanted to do now that he had a full bursary from Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University to study towards a degree of his choice.
Dale wants to do a BCom Rationum Law degree at NMMU. “Receiving the bursary provides some financial relief,” he said, adding proudly that he already had his student number.
His mother, Lynty Bevan, said her son had always excelled. “He has, however, worked very hard throughout his school career to accomplish this,” Bevan said.
Dale is deputy head boy at his school, has his honours in academics and has been among the top five pupils in his grade throughout high school. He also enjoys ballroom dancing and received his honours in Grade 10.
He also excels in sport and is captain of his school’s squash first team and tennis second team.
When he is not behind the books or on the sports field, he is the vice-president of his school’s Junioract – a junior version of Interact.
He makes time for community work and is a volunteer at the Isithembiso Babies Home in Port Elizabeth. He also raises funds for the Maranatha Christian Centre through Junioract.
One might wonder how he fits all of this into his busy schedule.
“I sometimes have to give up some sleep,” he quipped. He added that not procrastinating and using his time wisely allowed him to somehow balance his activities. “My grandfather, Terry McCarthy, taught me this valuable lesson.” He said he also relied heavily on the support from his school, his principal and his teachers.
Passion also drives him. “I have a passion for the things I take on.” He added: “Passion is the genesis of genius.”
His mother said she was “floating on a cloud of euphoria” after her son was named Matric of the Year, and that she was very proud of him. “My whole family lives overseas, but the e-mails have been flowing backwards and forwards between us, sharing the good news.”
A tribute from Victoria Park
Victoria Park has been able to produce many pupils who, over the years, have excelled in the prestigious Weekend Post-Walmer Park Matric of the Year competition. This year was no exception.
Dale McCarthy, one of many entrants in this year’s contest from the Eastern Cape, was chosen as the overall Matric of the Year for 2009. The competition is framed as honouring the all-round achievement of matriculants in the following categories: academic, sport, culture and community involvement.
As dux of his class, our deputy headboy, Dale, is a keen sportsman, representing Victoria Park in both tennis and squash (first team). His feet have graced the dance floor, upon which this young man received his honours in ballroom, and the catwalk at the Mr and Ms VP Sport pageant. Amidst the hubbub of academics and sport, Dale is also the Vice-President of JuniorAct and has volunteered at Isithembiso to play with the children. He is an altar server at St Bernadette’s Catholic Church.
Amongst the many prizes Dale won, totalling well in excess of R200 000, is a full tuition bursary to study a BCom Rationum at the NMMU.
A proud school salutes this great all-rounder!
Mr M.J. Theron
