Nine distinctions – and pipes’ skirl
SHARON Maher doesn’t fit the stereotype of the smart girl who studies and does nothing else. In the days before her prelims, the St Dominic’s School Dux did not have her head in the books. Instead she had her arms around a set of bagpipes on the stage at Montecasino.
“I barely studied the week before my exams,” said Maher, 18. She was too busy doing six performances as part of the show, South African Tattoo. Along with academics and friends, playing the bagpipes is one of Maher’s passions.
She has been playing since she was 11 and plays in the African Skye Pipe Band. In competition season she attends two-hour long practices three times a week and competes every second weekend.
It’s a large time commitment but Maher’s academics are so strong she achieved nine distinctions in her final exams.
She has been accepted to the University of Pretoria to study actuarial science – commonly recognised as one of the toughest courses a student can take.
Maher’s academic success has been a combination of natural talent and hard work. “I’ve always been able to pick stuff up quickly, but I also do a lot of work,” she said. “If I don’t do well I get upset with myself.”
The wavy-haired girl was on the senior executive committee at her school this year, but one of her challenges has always been improving her confidence.
“The people I met (at school) … the friendships have made me more comfortable with myself and encouraged me to be myself,” she said. “I’ve always been very self conscious, now I’m less self conscious than I used to be.”