Thank you so much for voting for me! It is a great honour, and something that I will cherish for a long time. I’d also like to say thank you for your awesome science questions! I really enjoyed chatting with each and every one of you — the zombie questions were particularly fun!

I want to take this opportunity to tell you to always follow your dreams, however far away or impossible they may seem. Don’t give up, and always, always believe in yourself. There will be setbacks, that’s something I can say for sure, but there will also be great leaps forward and exciting times of awesomeness. There will be change too, nothing stays the same forever, but don’t be afraid of that, embrace it. Love those around you, you will meet some wonderful new friends and never forget where you’re from or the people that got you there. First dream your dreams, and then chase them with all you’ve got. All you need to do is believe in yourself and have the self-disciple to work for it.

There were a lot of drugs questions during the chats, and so I want to acknowledge that by saying one final thing on the topic… DON’T DO DRUGS. We adults don’t say that just to exert control over you, we say that because we want what’s best for you, because we have seen how drugs can destroy lives. And avoid smoking too! It’s really not cool- there are far more cooler things to be doing! Trust me.

I have thoroughly enjoyed the competition, getting to know some of you over a few chat sessions was amazing. You are truly great kids, and some of you older students are truly great almost-adults! You have bright futures.

Good luck in all you do, and reach for the stars.

Daryl