For this edition of the Whāingaroa Youthworker Collective – Te Whakaruruhau Mahuri Rangatahi Page we interviewed Summer Morgan.
Tell us about life growing up in Raglan.
Raglan life growing up was small and really intimate; you know everyone, it’s nice. It has its pros and cons – sometimes you like to walk down the street without having to see someone you know and have a conversation. I did all my education at RAS. I made really good friendships, getting to know people for 13 years. It was great.
What are you doing now?
I am working at the Raglan Medical Centre in Raglan. I am training for a marathon in May.
I really wanted to complete a marathon before I leave Raglan as I don’t know if I will get a chance to do it again so it’s kind of like a bucket list thing. I am also fundraising for mental health. I feel like everyone goes through struggles, so I want to fundraise for mental health. I got into running as I got bored of the gym. I find it quite enjoyable. It’s good for my wellbeing to get outside; you live in that moment and just think about how you are in your body to keep going.
While working I am also saving to go travelling. I have lived my whole life in Raglan and want to see the world. I’m going to Bali for a month to catch up with friends and then I will be off on my own traveling through Turkey and Europe.
What is some advice you would give to young people growing up now in Whāingaroa?
Well, now looking back, I have realized that no one is actually watching what you are doing. At school you feel like people are judging you all the time because you have to see them every day, but you should never really worry about what other people think if they are judging you. If you like what you are doing, no one’s opinion should matter.
You should just do what you want, get out of your comfort zone, do things that scare you as that’s how you grow as a person.
What do you think the community can do to help young people?
More opportunities, group opportunities so we can connect with different people who we wouldn’t normally connect with. Also, opportunities to learn new things and if young people have ideas we need to be listened to; I feel like often you don’t get the chance to be listened to.
It would be great for young people to have more group events and fun events. Youth was so cool and you would hang out with people you didn’t usually and you would all get along!
You have a cool tattoo.
I have the word gratitude tattooed as I’m always grateful for everything – for being here – and gratitude is a great thing to come back to. To ground myself for being grateful for where I am and what’s to come.
