Year 12 students Meredith Williams and Juliet Grotrian have both been named Gold Prize Winners in the 2026 Horizon Academic Essay Prize.

Selected by a prestigious international panel of scholars, their essays placed in the top 1 percent of submissions worldwide. Each student has been awarded a USD $3,225 scholarship to the Horizon Academic Research Program, marking an exceptional and well‑deserved achievement.

Meredith’s essay,'Making the Strangers’ Case: An Ethical Approach to Migration', explores migration through an ethical lens, drawing on political philosophy and literature to challenge harmful and narrow narratives. Her work calls on governments to recognise migration as a shared global responsibility and to uphold dignity, compassion and care in policymaking.
🔗 Read Meredith's Essay: 'Making the Strangers’ Case: An Ethical Approach to Migration',

Juliet’s essay, 'Breaking Barriers, Talking Trust', examines the growing tension between surveillance, privacy and public trust. She presents a thoughtful and sophisticated analysis of how legal frameworks have failed to keep pace with technological change, arguing for transparency and accountability as essential to balancing individual rights with public safety.
🔗 Read Juliet's Essay: 'Breaking Barriers, Talking Trust',

Both essays reflect remarkable intellectual maturity, clarity of thought and confidence of voice. As an IB World School, we are committed to developing globally-minded students and educating young women to be thoughtful global citizens. Achievements like these reflect our mission to empower students to succeed as passionate learners, resilient wāhine and future leaders, equipped to engage meaningfully with the most complex issues of our time.

Congratulations to Meredith and Juliet on this outstanding recognition. QMC is incredibly proud of you.