Hard work paid off for Stephen Gensicke, Natasha McConnell and Jess Busiko, of Naracoorte High School, Meg Sinclair, of Pembroke School and Lucy Macleod of Wilderness School when they received a merit award.

They were among 728 SA students to get a merit.

Natasha said she was shocked when she received her mark for Research Project B.

“I didn’t really see it coming,” she said.

Natasha received merit for extensive work on mineral deficiencies in livestock.

Stephen Gensicke, son of Bob and Gail Gensicke, received a merit for Material Products 1 - metalwork.

In 14 weeks, he researched, designed and built a trailer.

Meg Sinclair, whose parents are Greg and Marg Sinclair, received a merit for English Communications.

She completed a number of creative pieces, short stories and essays.

Jess Busiko, daughter of Jenny and Wayne Busiko of Langkoop, received a merit for her work on Research Project B.

Lucy Macleod, daughter of Andrew and Sally Macleod, received her merit for Research Project B.

She is working at a boarding school in England this year before returning to tertiary study.

Full story in this week's Herald.