Olympian Suzanne Corry urged Meriden girls to pursue their passions as she presented Year 11 student Evelyn Haseldine with an Olympic flag in honour of all Meriden students who have competed at the Olympic Games.
Ms Corry said finding something you’re passionate about is just as important as working hard when it comes to achieving your goals.
The flag presentation was part of the Australian Olympic Committee’s promotion of the Youth Olympic Games and was held in the lead-up to Olympic Day on 23 June 2019.
Current student, Evelyn Haseldine, and 2018 graduate, Grace Kim, were members of the Australian Team competing at the 2018 Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires. Grace won gold in the women’s golf individual stroke play while Evelyn placed seventh in sailing and was an integral member of the five-person sailing team.
Ms Corry said all young people should focus on something that brings them joy and work toward their “dream goals” with consistency.
“I had a dream to go to the Olympics, so I set not just dream goals, but also process goals: the ones you work on every day, like being physically strong, being technically correct and being mentally strong,” she said.
“If you focus on those small goals, they get you to the big picture at the end. It is the most satisfying feeling in the world, standing on a podium with a gold medal around your neck, an Olympic wreath on your head, watching your flag go up. You’re there singing your national anthem not just for you and your achievement, but for all of Australia and all of your family and friends at home.”
Ms Corry won gold in the women’s trapshooting event at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, becoming Australia’s first female gold medallist in shooting. Eight years later, she returned to Olympic competition at the 2012 London Olympic Games.
Ms Corry said she began clay target shooting at the age of 15 as a hobby, but it was the beginning a truly satisfying professional adventure.
“If you want to be an artist or a musician or a sportsperson or a doctor, find your passion, find what you love and go for it. It worked pretty well for me,” she said.
Meriden runs a dedicated Olympus Program which is designed to help cater for the needs of student-athletes who compete at an elite level. Students in the program have access to, among other initiatives, specialist academic support that takes into account their training and competition requirements when they compete at national and international levels in their chosen sports.
Pictured above: Suzanne Corry and Evelyn Haseldine with Meriden’s Year 12 Olympus Program students.
