Mereana Martin

MUCH of Mereana Martin’s life is spent in the water.

Whether it be playing waterpolo, swimming or taking part in surf lifesaving competitions, the Queen’s High School head girl always tries her best.

Growing up, her mother was a part of the St Clair Surf Live Saving Club and both her parents both played waterpolo.

Many of their family holidays involved the beach and her parents thought it was important for her to learn to swim early.

She ended up really enjoying the water and as she grew older became more involved in water sports.

‘‘I love being in the surf especially,’’ Mereana said.

Now 18 years old, she spends about 10 hours a week in the water over six sessions.

‘‘I come out like a prune.’’

That time spent in the water has paid off for her, as she was awarded the most valuable under16 women’s player award for Otago Waterpolo in 2020 and in the under18 category last year.

This year she came first in the 17 to 18yearold 50m freestyle and 50m backstroke at the Otago Secondary Schools Swimming Championships and holds the Otago Secondary Schools Short Course girls 15 and over 50m backstroke record.

Aside from that, she spends her time as a volunteer lifeguard for the St Clair Surf Life Saving Club and competes in local competitions and events.

Although she loves competing, volunteering her time to be a lifeguard is just as important to her.

At school, Mereana regards being head girl as a real privilege, but tries to be seen as more of a peer than a leader to her fellow pupils.

Her classmates and juniors were all sharing the experience together and she wanted them to be comfortable around her, she said.

‘‘I just happen to be head girl.’’

Both in class and in the water she tries not to worry too much about her image or her results.

‘‘I don’t feel any pressure that I have to be amazing.’’

Achievements: Head girl (2022); Otago waterpolo most valuable U16 (2020), U18 women’s player (2021); Aqua Queen’s waterpolo captain (2022); Opie Mason Cup (2021); St Clair U19 women’s surf race McAlpine Cup (2022); Open St Clair Surf Race Otago Cup (2022); excellence PE, statistics, painting (2021); Queen’s young scholar award (2020, 2021); academic blue (2020, 2021); Level 1 (2020), Level 2 (2021) excellence endorsement; waterpolo blue (2021); service to sport — netball (2021); senior athletics runnerup (2021). Role model: Deputy head girl Billie Allan, for being an incredibly kind and reliable person.

Hopes for the future: To study marine science at the University of Otago.