Page 101 - Herioter 2021
P. 101

Ben Wilson

                                                                                        Vice-Captain


                  Ben joined Heriot’s with his twin, Adele, as an   has been a champion of fairness as a Herioter and   kind, loyal and sometimes even wise young man
                  enthusiastic and friendly S1 who was excited to   Vice-Captain. He has volunteered, buddied and   who has held the high esteem of both his peers
                  meet new people and become a Herioter. Over   been a role model for the younger years, and has   and his teachers throughout his school career.
                  the years Ben has capitalised on the opportunities   what his S1 report card described as a ‘genuine   ‘Balance’, between work and fun, is not easy.
                  offered to him at Heriot’s, and has thrown himself   and winning smile’ for everyone.  It takes discipline, positivity, and commitment in
                  into all aspects of school life.     Ben has also made the most of adventures to   spades. It takes an indomitable confidence in the
                    Alongside a string of fantastic academic result   Sicily and France. Although both of these trips   knowledge that if you work hard and treat people
                  and effort commendations over the years, some   involved a water-related incident (water fights   how you would wish to be treated, that your
                  notable highlights of Ben’s academic career   and a badly executed tube dismount, a handily-  efforts will pay off. Although Ben will tell you that
                  include the discovery that he could conjure up   placed tree and rescuing team), Ben remembers   he just tries his best, it is striking that Ben does not
                  a believable southern American accent in Mrs   these trips with fondness and is grateful for the   ask for, or give, any excuses for himself. He has
                  Hay’s Higher English class, general shenanigans   memories he has made.   a quiet but conscientious confidence in his own
                  in Higher Economics with Mr Payne, and a   Ben enjoyed playing rugby for Heriot’s, but   ability and has a steadfast determination to put in
                  moral A in National 5 Graphics. One of the most   since S3, rowing has been his sport of choice.   the work to do what it takes to succeed. He really
                  commendable things about Ben in the classroom   Although a career on the water may have seemed   is one of the good guys.
                  is that he is able to move from good-natured   unlikely on his first trip to the canal as he ended   Ben goes on to read Finance and Accounting at
                  laughter with his peers to working independently   up in rather than on the water three times, in true   Newcastle University, as one of only 60 students
                  and to debating intellectually challenging topics;   Ben style he rose to the challenge and proceeded   in a sponsored degree programme with PwC.
                  he brings others into discussion and is happy to   to be on the winning crew for the Scottish   We wish him all the best of luck for the future.
                  go against the grain and ask questions.  Championships in his first race. He has done a   Remember Ben, the goal is not to be successful or
                    Saying this, my lasting memories of Ben will   fantastic job at motivating his crew at 7am ergs   well known, the goal is to be a person of value; to
                  include his brilliant participation in all things   as club captain this year.    be someone worth knowing. So far, so good. No
                  creative; from interactive posters, fashioning   Ben participates without reservation, speaks up   doubt the best is yet to come.
                  Schiltrons and shields for the Battle of Falkirk,   and speaks out, and tries new things and we are   ‘Be cheerful, strive to be happy.’
                  dressing up as James Steward and re-enacting   grateful to him as he has enriched the school’s
                  the Chaseabout raid to experimenting with   community through his efforts. He is a respectful,   Miss Michele Duck
                  questionable sushi, Ben gets involved with
                  everything and gives even the smallest task his all.
                    Ben is highly academic, but does not take
                  himself too seriously and has led the way in
                  laughter and fun in our history classes for the last
                  three years. Although his Higher and Advanced
                  Higher years were not what he expected and
                  his Higher prelims were ‘the most important
                  assessment he would probably every sit’, Ben has
                  remained upbeat for himself and his friends, and
                  taken the last 12 months in his very long stride.
                    Whether enthusiastically reminding the rugby
                  referee of the meaning of the word unbiased in
                  S3, secretly sharing his Colin the Caterpillar cake
                  under the desk in maths, or stomping on Regent
                  Morton’s grave in honour of Lord Darnley, Ben


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