Cushla Bridges

CUSHLA Bridges is a young woman of many talents.

The St Kevin’s College head girl is a netballer, ballet dancer and debater, all while having a strong passion for the environment and tramping.

Growing up on a farm, Cushla’s mother felt she had ‘‘gumboot feet’’ and sent her to ballet to fix them — but it became an art form that taught her a lot.

‘‘It’s very challenging, incredibly difficult . . . but it also pays testament to your patience as well,’’ she said.

She enjoyed pushing herself, and tramping, and taking part in the Duke of Edinburgh — where she won silver and bronze awards — allowed that.

‘‘I think that the boundaries that you set yourself are really just boundaries. You can go a lot further.’’

Last year, she was the head of St Kevin’s Leos club, creating 12 birdhouses for Oamaru’s Signal Hill, and organised the planting of 5000 trees.

‘‘I think that for the amount that we take away from the environment to give back is really cool.’’

A naturally strong leader, Cushla aspired to be head girl since she was at intermediate and was grateful to fulfil the role this year.

Next year she will attend the University of Otago, studying a bachelor of art and science, majoring in genetics and minoring in computer science.

‘‘I’m really interested in the whole biology side of anatomy. Genetics is obviously an incredibly interest part that is developing.’’

Achievements: Head girl (2022); NCEA Levels 1 and 2 with excellence; St Kevin’s service award, gold, silver and bronze; Bishop’s Shield best debating team, best speaker, best team leader (20220; Bishop’s Shield debating best team leader and overall winning team (2021); St Kevin’s best debater, best female speaker, St Kevin’s plate of college life, diligence award, top in drama, top in art, Dooley Cup for speech (2021); St Kevin’s head of ball committee (2022); head of Leos Oamaru (2021); Outstanding Girl Boss member (202122); Girl Boss full scholarship for communication program; Spirit of Adventure, elected captain (2022); Hands on Otago participant (2022); Duke of Edinburgh bronze and silver award; ballet RDA grade 16 excellence, BBO grade 78 excellence, 8 merit, medal test 13 senior excellence; Otago netball representative 2017; Maheno Netball Club most promising under21 player (2021); highly commended Oamaru Speech Awards (2018), grades 15 highly commended. Role model: I have role models in different parts — my father’s work ethic, my mother’s kindness, David Attenborough’s passion and Michelle Obama’s wisdom.

Hopes for the future: I think it would be really cool to be part of a break through of something — highly unrealistic.