Reuben Dempster

Kia ora

My name is Reuben. I am in my second year of studying biology at the University of Canterbury. I am currently interested in the fields of marine biology, symbiotic relationships, plants, and food microbiology. I have a drive to combine my creative side and the knowledge I have gained so far from my courses to make delicious food and drink. I have made many liters of apple cider, pinot noir, sauvignon blanc, and lemonade, and experimented with making wine from fruits such as rhubarb, plums, and oranges. I have also helped a microbrewery brew 600 L of black beer and IPA. The addictive aroma of bread is constantly in our flat. And did you know you can pickle walnuts?
                                                                                                
When I’m not scheming in the kitchen, I am going on adventures: tramping, longboarding, biking, skiing, etc. I am on the committee for the tramping club as the environmental officer, and I led a trip earlier in the year to the epic Lake Mavis.

During my time in the Pinnacle program, my interests and passions have changed immensely, for example, I was once solely driven to be an astronaut, and this drive took me to some awesome places like receiving a scholarship to European Space Camp in Northern Norway and going to Elain P Snowden Astronomy School at Canterbury University. I expect my current passions will change as well, but I don’t think my underlying value of giving everything a go will change. The pinnacle program, through its stages, has truly grown me as a person and brought to light what matters to me. For this, I will always be grateful.