<p><img class=" alignright size-full wp-image-763" src="http://schoolnewsnz.fastrackdev.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/SND02-2-Jack_Potaka_300x225_copy.jpg" alt="SND02-2-Jack Potaka 300x225 copy" style="margin: 5px; float: right;" width="300" height="225" />Rotorua Boys High School student Jack Potaka has taken top honours in the national final of the ANZ RSA Cyril Bassett VC Speech Competition, winning a trip to Gallipoli to attend ANZAC Day commemorations.</p>
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<p>Jack&#8217;s speech beat seven other year 12 and 13 regional finalists to win the competition in Wellington on Monday. Jack&#8217;s prize includes a trip to Gallipoli for the 2014 ANZAC day commemorations, a $1000 travel fund, trophy, laptop computer and digital camera.</p>
<p>The prize was presented by the Governor General, Lt Gen, The Rt Hon Sir Jerry Mateparae, RSA national president Don McIver and ANZ head of corporate affairs Peter Parussini.</p>
<p>The 16-year-old student impressed the judges with a passionate speech about the first fully qualified Māori pilot in the RNZAF, Porokoru Patapu John Pohe. ;Jack delivered an inspiring speech entitled &#8216;The Forgotten Hero&#8217; detailing Porokoru&#8217;s determination to learn to fly and his successful career in the air force before he was shot down in Germany, captured and later executed.</p>

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