Media statement from the family of Alexis Still

The following statement can be attributed to the parents of 19 year old Alexis Still, Allan and Vivienne Still. Alexis died tragically in Saturday's ballooning accident in Carterton:

'Alexis is the beautiful daughter of Allan and Vivienne and younger sister of Emma-Jane and Ben. She was born in Dunedin, raised in Rotorua and has been a resident of Wellington for the last four years.

She attended Lynmore Primary School and Mokoia Intermediate. She boarded at Iona College for two years before completing her high school education at both Rotorua Lakes High School and Onslow College in Johnsonville.

Since leaving school, Alexis took a gap year, travelling to Rarotonga, Mozambique and Malawi.

In Africa, Alexis developed a strong sense of wanting to help those in need. This encouraged her to enrol in a Bachelor of Nursing degree at the Wellington campus of Massey University. She had completed one year at Massey and intended to nurse in Africa and write about her experiences.

Our daughter influenced people and moved them along in their life journey - moving them away from bad decisions and choices. She was always very supportive of her family and friends.

Alexis was highly creative, teaching drama was also one of her passions.

'She was inspirational in so many ways. She was a passionate and humble soul with mighty aspirations and a wicked sense of humour. She was courageous, exceptionally talented and wise beyond her years.

As a daughter, sister and friend, Alexis was genuine, uplifting and insightful. ' To everyone she met, she radiated beauty and love. She is irreplaceable and will be forever missed.

ENDS

Media please note, the family of Alexis Still do not wish to be further contacted by media. A funeral for Alexis will be for family and friends only and media are not permitted to attend.

© Scoop Media