Ramahl Ah Chee, Dilworth Joint Deputy Head Prefect 2026
“New York, New York”
Ramahl Ah Chee has a grand global vision for his life. He isn't aiming for local success; he is targeting Ivy League universities (Brown, Yale), Harvard Law School.
“The dream is to go to Harvard Law School and have a law firm in the New York City skyline that's mine,” he says.
For Ramahl, New York represents "the pinnacle of global ambition, the epitome of human society and the developed world." He wants to test himself on the world's biggest stage.
His philosophy is that greatness is accessible if you set your mind to it. Looking at high achievers on news platforms, he feels inspired rather than intimidated. "They’re not anything more special than we are," Ramahl says. "There’s no reason why not." For him, success comes down to mindset and having the faith in yourself to try.
There is every likelihood Ramahl will make his dreams come true. And why shouldn’t he? With multiple NZQA scholarships under his belt—including several before reaching Year 13—and an invitation to the prestigious Yale Summer School earlier this year, which he attended, he is already well on his way.
His current focus is on gaining admission to an Ivy League university next year. Although he will be competing against the world's best students for a place, Ramahl's drive and determination mean that nothing is likely to stand in his way.
Dilworth Beginnings
Ramahl was a bright spark long before arriving at Dilworth, but he credits the school with accelerating his progress and tailoring opportunities to match his potential.
Starting at Dilworth as a Year 6 student, he didn't expect his academic trajectory to shift overnight. However, his potential was recognised early by his Junior Campus teacher. Rather than keeping him on standard classwork, the school fast-tracked him: he joined a Year 8 mathematics class while still in Year 6 and advanced to the Senior Campus for maths by Year 7.
“They give you space to explore your own path if you're ready for it," Ramahl explains. "In Year 7, I went up to the Senior Campus to do maths, and I think that really turned around the way I thought about what I could do. From there, I tried to do everything to the best of my ability. Once you get that kick-start off the ground in one area, it pushes you to adopt the mindset that you can do it in others.”
That self-belief became the foundation for his remaining years at Dilworth.
“It gave me the confidence to push myself—that’s why I came to Dilworth. That's how I approached school right up until Year 13.”
For Ramahl, Dilworth’s greatest contribution was the deliberate decision to push him beyond his perceived limits. That environment fostered unshakable confidence. He says that as he drafted personal statements for university applications and observed high-achieving students online, he reached an empowering realisation: "They’re not anything more special than we are. It comes down to how you compare yourself to those who are great, knowing that many came from places harder than the one you started in. There’s no reason why not."
Learning Outside the Classroom
Academic growth is only one part of the equation, and Ramahl notes that some of his greatest lessons have come outside the classroom. Joining the school's Tongan group was a defining moment—and a personal challenge.
“I've been adopted Tongan—you can put that in there!” he laughs. “Rather than just focusing on academics, I tried to step out of my comfort zone. As a Year 10 Asian boy, there was nothing harder than joining the Dilworth Tongan Group.”
What began as a push into unfamiliar territory became a core part of his school experience. Embraced warmly by the community—to the point that several Tongan parents affectionately call him their son—Ramahl says he developed a deep appreciation for another culture, forging strong bonds with his peers and embracing a more holistic approach to life.
Like so many Dilworth students, he found that the brotherhood he found along the way clearly means everything to him.
Big Horizons
Now in Year 13, Ramahl’s self-belief, work ethic and drive have continued to pay off. Having completed much of his high school curriculum early, he says he has benefited from Dilworth’s flexibility, which has allowed him to tailor his final year. Taking just three Level 3 NCEA classes, he has spent his remaining time drafting university applications, writing essays, and preparing for international travel. He is also publishing a research paper in an academic journal, taking the SAT and AP exams, and taking courses at the University of Auckland.
If that wasn’t enough, Ramahl has maintained a commitment to his extracurricular and community projects, plays hockey (1st XI Captain), is into music and singing in the choir, and holds leadership and committee positions. And he clearly has fun with his Dilworth mates!
Director of Student Services, Ms Claudine Nathan, summed up Ramahl’s achievements at Dilworth:
“Ramahl is driven, academically brilliant, confident, and clever in conversation and debate. He distinguishes himself through his intellectual strengths, broad involvement across school life, and the deep respect he commands among his peers. He is a goal-focused young man with big dreams, and nothing will stand in the way of his success”.
New York, it is. But while his long-term vision includes Ivy League halls and big law firms, Ramahl says his ultimate goal is to return to where it all began. After studying and building a career abroad, he plans to return home and enter New Zealand politics.
We hope he does! Ramahl is definitely one of Dilworth’s Great Young Men.
