Despite saying she is ‘‘not that sporty'', the 17-year-old participates in skiing, sailing and rowing.
She moved to the area seven years ago and living so close to the mountains allowed her to hit the slopes as often as she liked.
Because her father had ‘‘always sailed'', she followed him into the sport and likes to spend time on the water.
Sarah is a member of the Wanaka Sailing Club and was a reserve at the secondary school nationals this year.
She rowed as a novice at the Maadi Cup 2008.
When she is not enjoying the outdoors, she spends ‘‘a fair bit of time painting'', riding her horse and anything else, depending on what kind of ‘‘mood'' she is in.
At school, she is recognised for her academic excellence and was a top achiever in level 2 last year, with 60 excellence credits and 48 merit credits.
Her certificate was endorsed with excellence and she is a Scholarship candidate this year.
‘‘I was pretty stoked to finish last year with excellence.''
Other activities she is involved in are the student council and Students Against Driving Drunk.
Sarah is also working towards her gold Duke of Edinburgh Award, having already completed her silver.
Achievements: Top achiever level 2 2008; NCEA level 2 endorsed with excellence; student council secretary; Students Against Driving Drunk committee delegate 2009; silver Duke of Edinburgh; member of Wanaka Sailing Club.
Role model: I have no particular role model but admire people who work hard for what they want.
Hopes for the future: To study health sciences at the University of Otago and get into either medicine or microbiology.