Sacred Heart College student amplifies youth voice
A passion for advocating change and representing the voices of Napier’s youth has propelled a Sacred Heart College student into taking matters into her own hands.
Eva Deihl may only be 17-years-old, but she is already a pillar in Sacred Heart College’s student body, and has been recognised as one of the city’s leading young people.
She was recently appointed to the Napier Youth Council, and is currently the school’s community leader and Board of Trustees Student Rep.
But the push she needed to put herself out there, and inspire change came in the form of former Sacred Heart College 2020 Dux and BoT Student Rep Ana Worthington who
saw her potential long before she did.
“Ana was almost like a big sister to me helping me up into those roles,” Eva said.
“She helped me gain the confidence to do it, because I wouldn’t have done it if she hadn’t recognised me as someone who would be good in those roles.”
Now she feels “privileged” to be in the position she is in.
“It’s quite a lot of responsibility and a lot of hard work to be that link between the students and the youth of Napier but I feel very lucky and humbled to have that position.”
She strives to be someone that the girls, and other young people can talk to. “I think it's really important for the youth of Napier to be heard and recognised.
“I want to actually follow through with what they’ve said and put actions in place to achieve them. Being able to take that to the next level helps achieve that.”
She has enjoyed meeting with like-minded youth from other schools.
“It’s cool to meet people from all over and connect with them and hear what other schools have to say about Napier’s youth and what we do.”
She hopes to study global studies and law in Wellington next year. While she doesn’t know where she’ll land after study she has “big goals” of being involved in politics and the UN.
Principal Maria Neville-Foster said the school was proud to help in the development of leaders like Eva and would provide her and others all the support they needed to achieve their potential.
