Backchat Magazine Sep. 2014 | Page 13

ABOUT PAST ISSUES ADVERTISE PANDORA PROJECT CONTACT has taught me lessons about how to be a good leader, playing fair and working as part of a team. “I joined Chesterhouse half way through Grade 6, and was pushed up a gread. So I’m a year younger than everyone else. They chose prefects in the last term and I wasn’t made one, which was really sad for me. But I looked on the bright side I’d be able to concentrate more on sport and academics achievements, in Grade 7.” I’m proud of my and my true friends are proud of me too. Although having not been at her new school long enough, to be chosen as a prefect, Tatum was elected house captain and then later captain of the hockey team. “I love encouraging my hockey team. It feels great to be able to help motivate the rest of the girls. We’re all so close, and we work well as a team.” This multi talented and well read young woman, took everything in her stride when asked by the high school hockey ‘A’ team, to stand in for an injured player during an important match. “That was a surprise!” laughs Tatum. “I was really excited, and even set up the team’s winning goal!” “It hasn’t been easy change coming here from London. I found that some girls were rude to me and spoke behind my back when I was CONTENTS made house and hockey captain. They didn’t like the fact that I was such fierce competition to them, especially when my marks were also really high. There are girls who will never even congratulate you when you achieve something, like getting 100% for a test! It’s mean, and spiteful, and I try not to let their jealousy make me feel bad about myself. I’m proud of my achievements, and my true friends are proud of me too.” Tatum went through all of this while still making time to hang out and relax with her family and new friends, connect with her old friends in London and keep her grades consistently high. “I’m really close to my family, and it’s definitely their influence that keeps my working hard and trying my best at everything. I always try to be a good role model for my little sister Jorja.” Backchat salutes this motivated young lady, whom we are sure will go on to achieve any thing she puts her mind to. Her determination and courage are character traits that will move her forward leaps and bounds both on the sports field and in life. TAKE ACTION