Mt Aspiring College was celebrating today as students packed into the gym to watch their schoolmate "absolutely nail it" and claim an Olympic bronze medal.
Wanaka teen Zoi Sadowski-Synnott broke New Zealand's 26-year drought at the Winter Olympics, finishing third in the snowboard big air.
The 16-year-old notched - to that point - the best individual score of the day with a 92.00 in the second of her three runs.
Mt Aspiring College principal Wayne Bosley was extremely happy.
"She really absolutely nailed her second run. Everyone was cheering loudly, then sort of doing the math, then finally we found out.
"We had loads of students packed into the gym... personally, I couldn't believe how nervous I was."
On the last run, the tension and excitement was building, and some students even started a big drum roll, he says.
The year-13 student was constantly travelling with her sport, but was very studious and always kept up to date with her studies.
"She is a good student and I'm not just saying that…and when she's literally here, she's great."
Mr Bosley was not sure what the school would do for their Olympic heroine, but expected there would be some sort of celebration.
"We haven't discussed that yet, but when she's first back at school, I'm sure there will be one heck of a celebration."
Newshub.
