One to watch: Sam Viskovich 127 academically, while showing the potential to emulate John Drake’s attitude and success both on and off the rugby field. Sam was one of the large number of applicants for the scholarship and was thrilled to be on the shortlisted group of seven who were interviewed by Sir John Graham (Patron to the Scholarship), John Taylor (Director of External Relations, The University of Auckland), Robert Taylor and David Wein (both Auckland University Rugby Club). At University, Sam plans to take a conjoint Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Arts. For his BCom he will do a double major in Economics and International Business, while for his BA he will major in Psychology. During my conversation with Sam, I did discover a downside to this whole thing. He’s been flogged by Auckland Rugby! He will play his rugby for Auckland University in the Auckland competition and not for his junior club Northcote in the mighty Harbour competition. So what makes Sam Viskovich such a high achiever? I put the question to him. “I have an interest in a whole range of things and Westlake has been great for me. Westlake is all about getting involved and having a go, so you do a range of things, compete and ultimately exceed. I am a very competitive person by nature so I have a huge desire to be the best – whether that’s rugby, debating, young enterprise or academically.” I asked Westlake Boys Headmaster David Ferguson for a comment about Sam, and this is what he had to say. “Sam has had a fantastic year as our Deputy Head Boy, School Sports Captain as well as being our 1st XV Captain. He has applied the same leadership principles that he uses with the 1st XV to sport across the school. He is approachable, modest and leads by example and is an outstanding role model to our younger students. Sam was named as the Auckland debating champion in 2010 and was also a very successful young entrepreneur. As well as the John Drake scholarship, he has also secured a prestigious scholarship with Pricewaterhouse Coopers. We are very proud of his achievements. He is very much an all-rounder who excels in everything that he does. We will miss him at Westlake next year, he has been an outstanding leader.” Sam Viskovich has big goals for the future. He wants to go “as far as he can in rugby” and while he didn’t say it, for any young Kiwi that means the All Blacks. After University, his path looks likely to be as an entrepreneur. He has lofty ambitions but understands that he needs to gain experience first. I finished my chat by asking him what he thinks he will be doing in 10 years’ time. “Hopefully I will have cracked it as a rugby player, be moving up in the commerce world and maybe even running my own business. While I want rugby to be a big part of my life, the academic side is also very important to me.” When he applied for the John Drake scholarship, Sam quoted a Croatian family proverb in his application that has been passed down from his greatgrandparents, translated as: “Give me knowledge and I’ll give you wealth.” He saw the Drake Scholarship as “the perfect opportunity to continue acquiring knowledge and gain wealth, not simply in money but in experience and values, with which to make a positive and significant impact on society.” So mark Sam Viskovich down as one to watch, Channel readers. We’ve just got to find a way to make sure this future leader remains on the Shore and becomes an All Black, while playing his rugby for North Harbour!
Sam is an exceptionally talented young man. He is a scholar, a gifted public speaker and debater, an actor, a young entrepreneur, and a dedicated sportsman. He is Captain of our First XV this year, Sports Captain of the school, and Deputy Head Boy.
Above: Sam Viskovich at the John Drake Memorial Scholarship Presentation Dinner. From left; John Taylor (Director of External Relations, The University of Auckland), Cathy Drake (John Drake's wife), Sam and Sir John Graham (Patron of the John Drake Memorial Scholarship). Right: Sam Viskovich at Westlake Boys High School prize giving. He picked up several awards, including the PriceWaterhouseCoopers Scholarship and the Arthur Schubert Award for selfless contribution to the school.
www.channelmag.co.nz Issue 16 - NOVEMBER 2011