The Aquatic Heroine, Emma Clarke

'Hero', originating from the Latin term 'Heros' defines a person who acts as a 'defender or protector' and is comprised of the blood of a god and a common mortal.
When we look at the determined glance and professionally-fastened flotation devices of the admirable Emma Clarke, we know this title of 'Hero' is correctly placed. On the crisp Summer's day of February the 14th, Burnside's annual school swimming sports were taking place, yet early in the event, Emma spotted a young year nine student having difficulty staying afloat, and through bravery, quick-thinking and prepared safety attire, jumped into the school pool and lifted the young girl to safety. Further elaborating on this turbulent tale is none other than Emma Clarke herself.

For those who don't know you, please introduce yourself:

My name is Emma Clarke

I am a doggy paddling,

danger spotting,

life-saving,

pool noodle and croc wearing,

two year old floatie model.

....And I love dogs

Recently you have been heralded as a hero within the Senior division for your brave actions when helping a junior student who had difficulty swimming during Burnside's swimming sports. Would you like to give us a brief summary of what happened on the day?

I woke up that morning knowing I had the pleasure of having a day off school to help out with Burnside's school swimming sports. With no idea what my duties were I popped my brown, over-sized Crocs on, wrapped pool noodles around my waist, jammed my friend Olivia's rubber duck hat on my head that my comrade Wikke gave to me and trotted off to the Sports Office where I was awarded with my Childrens floaties. I thought 'this will be brilliant for keeping me afloat due to the fact I am not a confident swimmer'. My job was to hold the rope for the false starts, all was going well until all of a sudden...disaster struck!! I noticed a small year nine student decked out in her luscious khaki green PE uniform who was struggling to keep her head above the water and was mouthing 'help me' in my direction (she was closer to Liam). At first I didn't think anything of it, just like the rest of the PE staff and Sports council, but off I went under four lanes to rescue her. I lost one of my beloved Crocs on the way, but didn't have time to retrieve it so one kind gentleman jumped in after to fetch it for me. It was just a spur of the moment kind of thing, I wasn't planning on jumping in as I was still fully clothed and it was only period one, with the weather being a bit chilly. The poor girl clung pretty tight and if I didn't have my flotation devices on I probably would have gone under myself along with her. Thanks to Sharapoff for kindly giving me her spare towel in which I could inhibit the contraction of my erector pile muscles and continue my job without getting hypothermia.

Do you have a background in life-guarding or was it just a quick reaction?

I mean, I can't say I have experience in life-guarding, but I have experience in guarding lives, mostly my own. I didn't really have too much time to think about it so I'd say it was just a quick reaction.

What advice would you give to individuals caught in a similarly difficult situation? (apart from the obvious of trying to save the person from drowning!)

If you are ever in a situation where somebody needs your help, back yourself and you will be surprised what you are capable of.

If you could leave us withone inspiring nugget of wisdom what would it be?

I'll finish on a few quotes that relate to this topic.

''A lifeguard is like a storm shelter, you may never need it, but if you do, it can be a lifesaver''

''If your lifeguard duty was as good as your singing a lot of people would be drowning''

-Simon Cowell