Special surprise for Taea

Titikaveka College student and national athlete Patricia Taea is the pride and joy of the school which rallied on Friday to raise funds for the track athlete.

Taea is one of two track athletes that will represent the country at next month’s Commonwealth Games in Delhi.

The 17-year-old will compete in the 100m sprints and was visibly surprised when school principal Ani Piri presented her with a cheque of $220.

The funds were raised by Taea’s fellow students and teachers who organised a special mufti day on Friday.

Each student and staff member donated what they could to help Taea.

“She (Taea) didn’t ask for this and she didn’t know we were doing this for her,” Piri said.

“As a school, we think this is a great honour that one of our own is going to the Commonwealth Games.”

Taea was visibly humbled by the effort made by her Titikaveka College family.

“At least I know they’ve got my back,” Taea said.

“It feels really good to have the support of the school and I’m grateful to the principal for doing this for me.”

Taea along with fellow Commonwealth Games athlete Tiraa Arere Jnr will depart for Cairns this weekend where they will compete at a meet as part of their preparations for the games in Delhi early next month.