Courtesy of: The Morning News
By: Rosaly Klein
Today at 3:00 PM, Aruba’s Governor Fredis Refunjol will enjoy one of his most delightful duties as the official appointed representative of the Dutch Monarchy on Aruba, the annual awarding of medals to island personages recognized for outstanding achievement or service to the community. One of the island’s most famous personalities, Sarah-Quita Offringa, will not be among them, as she is attending university in Holland. A special ceremony will be conducted there for her on May 1, when she will receive the exalted title of Ridder, or Knight in the Orde of Oranje-Nassau, the youngest individual born in the Dutch Caribbean to be so honored.
Sarah-Quita’s may not be that familiar to those who are not windsurfing enthusiasts, but in the Dutch Kingdom, and the global sports media, she is a household name, one of the most famous, record-breaking athletes the sport has ever known.
Sarah-Quita began her professional career as a windsurfer at the age of 12, and by 15, set a new record as the youngest competitor to ever win a gold medal on the PWA world wide circuit, in Women’s Freestyle. She placed third overall that year, in 2006, but the following year, she captured the first place title of Women’s Freestyle World Champion, and has successfully defended her title each year since taking the top spot. In 2011, she made even greater waves on the global windsurfing track by also winning the World Champion Women’s Slalom Racing title.
Sarah-Quita was not able to defend her slalom title in 2012 because she is also dedicating her time to her studies to earn a degree in Sustainability Management. Ever mindful of her standing as a role model for young Arubans, she is determined to show them that earning a university degree is just as important as world sporting championships, and they should never neglect their education. She and her older brother Quincy have always been fully supported in all their pursuit of athletic excellence, but equally inspired to scholastic achievement by their parents, Esther and Ruud.
Sarah-Quita has been recognized by the crown this year, with the high honor of Ridder in the Orde of Oranje-Nassau, not only for making her fellow islanders proud by putting Aruba’s name in blazing headlines across the globe, but also for her commitment to her community and homeland. She has confirmed that once she obtains her degree, it is her intention to return come home, “to do my part to make Aruba sustainable.”
THE MORNING NEWS management and staff congratulate Aruba’s favorite “Girl with the Big Hair,” as she is known on the windsurfing circuit, on another noteworthy achievement in her young life.
