In Year 9, when I was sitting down in those very chairs looking up at the prefects on stage, I was thinking to myself, I want to be up there one day and with those determined words I made it happen. 

Standing up here now thinking about all the opportunities I have been given has made me reflect on my years of playing sport. I started in Year 9 playing hockey, touch, volleyball, cross country and athletics. Now I have entered my last year of school still playing volleyball, hockey and athletics. Signing up for these sports in Year 9 resulted in me still playing them now.

Sport has given me plenty of opportunities and taught me plenty of hard lessons over the years. When I was six, I learnt that it was better to join in than sit on the sideline watching. Sometimes you don't get selected for the team that you think you deserve to be in and you can either sulk and cry a bit, or get determined and train harder so that next time you are at your best. This happened to me in Year 10, when I thought I would be in a higher netball team. I trained hard, focused on not stepping with the ball and moved up a team. 

I learnt a lot in those weeks after the trials, as I was so upset that I didn't do well, but I didn't just want to give up so I kept trying and it led to success. One quote that I have always gone by is “failure is not the opposite of success, it's part of success".

I was never very big and this was a challenge I faced when I was racing taller and stronger girls every weekend. They had the power and strength that I was lacking. I found this hard but with some perseverance and resilience, I made sure that I was having fun and enjoying myself. 

Sports and other extracurricular activities come with challenges that you have to face but as many of you know, the only way you are going to succeed is if you enjoy it and have fun. Now you probably know me as the fast girl, which is in fact true, but this came from hard work and resilience. It took me years to realise that athletics was my sport and once I found that out I made sure to turn up to training and put in the hard work to get the result at the end.

I have also had people who have supported me and helped me reach where I am today. Starting with my parents. They have funded a lot of my trips and coached me to the successes I have now. My friends, who have cheered me on and continue to believe in me everyday. Ms Cross for all the organisation of athletics at Queen's and the fun trips we have had and lastly to the Queen's High School staff for pushing me to achieve high through my last 5 years at school. All of these people have helped me become a better person and I am grateful to have their support.

So as you can see, giving things a go will never hurt you. You may learn some lessons but at the end of the day, you have achieved something you may not have otherwise achieved. 

The school cross country is next week and I want to see as many of you giving it a go, whether you are walking or running, just enjoy it and have fun.

Thank you. 

Jorja