Taihape teen relishes leadership role
Taihape Area School student at a whai Mcdonnell is an advocate for giving a voice to those who don’t have one.
Mcdonnell, 17, has a number of leadership roles at the school and in the region. It is something she thrives on, so she can bring young people’s views to the table.
She is the chairwoman of the school’s student leadership team, what she called the equivalent of being the speaker in Parliament.
She is also the student representative on the school’s board of trustees and is on the Rangitı¯kei Youth Council.
Mcdonnell was keen on taking the roles even though it meant a lot of responsibility.
‘‘I like to consider myself an activist of some sort. I like to be a spokesperson for people,’’ she said.
‘‘I like to speak for marginalised groups and represent others.’’
Taihape Area School has children from year 1 to year 13 and Mcdonnell has been at the school since she was 5.
Leadership was something she had always been keen on developing.
‘‘From the moment I stepped into school, I remember seeing all the head girls and leaders up on the stage and I always wanted to be like them.’’
She said the youth council role was good for being involved with the community and to ensure Taihape was represented, so the northern region of Rangitı¯kei wasn’t forgotten about.
Being on the school board gave her an insight into what was happening with the running of the school, which she enjoyed.
Mcdonnell’s favourite classes were writing, fashion and languages. She was learning Korean and te reo.
Once she leaves school shewants to study languages at Victoria University or University of waikato.