Emma Fotheringham

EMMA Fotheringham has plenty to keep her busy.

The 17yearold Gore High School prefect has been a member of the student council and SADD committee for the past two years.

She helped organise the school’s Mental Health Awareness Week in 2021 and hopes to continue with this responsibility this year, in addition to working closely with her fellow prefects to help organise the Prefects’ Variety Concert.

One of Emma’s key passions is competitive figure skating, which she began at the age of 11.

She has attended two NZIFSA National Figure Skating Championships, finishing second in the basic novice women's category in 2018 and sixth in the intermediate novice women's category in 2019. In addition, Emma was awarded Ice Sports Southland Best Nationals Performance in 2018, Coaches Shield for Diligence in 2018, Most Improved Senior Skater in 2019 and Most Dedicated Club Skater in 2020. She also has a longstanding participation in volunteer coaching for learntoskate classes at her local ice rink, leading to her becoming an accredited Kiwiskate coach.

Emma earned her Chief Scout Award — the highest award for a Scout — testing skills, leadership, initiative and commitment. She has also achieved her Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award and was chosen to attend Hands on Otago in 2021.

‘‘I have a love for science, so it was really exciting to go and see what university is like,’’ she said.

She plans to study health science at the University of Otago next year, with a view to entering medicine.

‘‘I love learning about the body, and how humans work.’’

Emma also enjoys volunteering in her community.

Highlights have included volunteering at Albany Rest Home for three months last year before entering another Covid19 lockdown and, since February, at Hamilton Park Parkrun.

She said she was looking forward to attending university next year.

‘‘It will be nice to be independent, and explore a new environment.’’

Achievements: Prefect (2022); Level 1 Level 2 with excellence endorsement; Hands on Otago (2021); Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award (2021); school council (2021/22); SADD (2021/22); PTA Diligence Prize (2019, 2021); 1stequal in economics (2020); HETTANZ Southland Secondary Schools Make and Model craft 3rd place (2019); Chief Scout Award (2019); 1stequal in science (2018).

Role model: Try to make your younger self proud.

Hopes for the future: To study health science, then medicine, at the University of Otago.