By Lufuno Masindi
Victoria Girls High School rising star Mairi van Schoor shared her inspirational experience of juggling being a learner and an art and debate competition fanatic.
The grade 11 learner redefines what it means to be talented and dedicated. Van Schoor has an outstanding history of successful competitions and team-leading experience. This multi-faceted learner has showcased her exceptional skills and unwavering determination through her art and debate competitions.
This young genius’ recognition can be tracked back to 2020 in the general knowledge competition where she was among the champions at Victoria Primary School. The competition emerged due to the school’s failure to compete against Graeme College and ultimately made it an Interhouse competition. The successful competition was featured in the VP Magazine to showcase the school’s talent.
As a Grade 10 learner in 2023, van Schoor secured a spot in the international competition when she represented Eastern Cape at the Eskom Expo for Young Scientists International Science Fair in Johannesburg and she took home a gold medal after pitching her project about language and its relation to shape. Her endless curiosity and constant urge for discovery paved her hard-earned scientific success.
Van Schoor’s versatility was showcased during the 2024 Junior Portrait Award Exhibition and her outstanding work was selected from over a hundred entries nationwide. The painting “Dissociation” earned the grade 11 pupil honour as it was displayed at the Rust-en-Vrede Gallery in Durbanville. This victory secured her an art gift pack and a tailored social media course with renowned artist Jo Roets.
“I thought it was really cool and figured I might as well just enter, even though I didn’t think I was going to win anything,” said van Schoor. She entered the competition as a result of her art teacher’s relentless motivation. Van Schoor recalls the competition process as “frustrating” because the proportions were challenging. However, she persevered, learned from her imperfections, and improved her skills.
The aspiring legal eagle, emphasised that she views art as a hobby because she enjoys the accomplishments that come with it but she aims to pursue law in the future. She advised aspiring artists to, “Just try and see what happens,” she said.
Van Schoor’s passion for law inspired her to participate in the National Moot Court competition, where she broadened her horizons about the Constitution and its significance. “The competition taught me to analyse what’s in the Constitution and how human rights work in different scenarios,” she said.
Beyond art, van Schoor was appointed as the team captain for the Eastern Cape debating team and will participate in the national debating tournament at Kingswood College from December 10 to 15.
When asked about her future endeavours, van Schoor added that she is looking forward to entering the Shell art competition. She enthusiastically described it as a “high standard” competition as it also offers a significant cash prize.
Van Schoor’s exceptional journey indicates perseverance as she continues to break barriers in whatever her heart desires.
