Jeanette Sherilyn Hall (nee Percy) who lives in Pyes Pa, Tauranga, has been made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to highland dancing.

Sherilyn, as she is known, has been involved with Highland and National Dancing for more than 50 years.

She has helped research and develop Highland Dancing through the New Zealand Academy of Highland and National Dancing, to continue for future generations.

Sherilyn says as a six year old she commenced Highland and National dancing 'with Mrs Emma Brown in Hastings whose classes were held in a hall a couple of hundred meters from my home”.

'That is where I learnt through careful instruction the basic fundamentals of the Academy dances.”

At age eleven Sherilyn came to live in Tauranga where she learnt under Mrs Brown's sister Mrs Edna Moore.

'Having competed successfully throughout New Zealand in my teenage years, in my early twenties these teachers inspired me to take my dance to another level and become a demonstrator for the Academy.”

'I love that Highland is a very traditional dance form brought to the NZ shores by dancing masters from Scotland. The New Zealand Academy fosters and preserves the traditional whilst keeping it relevant to today.”

As a dance demonstrator in 1973, she spent time perfecting highland dancing and step dancing movements and demonstrating these at conferences. Following this she became a member of the Technical Committee. She was appointed as Trainee Director at the Academy in 1990 before becoming the Technical Director in 1992 and has led a team of nine technical dance masters, overseeing the dance technique, management and development of examinations.

Over the years she has lead a team of up to ten recognised dance masters on the Technical Committee overseeing management and preservation of technique, and standards of examination technique.

During her time as Technical Director the committee has amongst other things developed pre-school dance programmes; an 18 and over assessment for those who have completed their examinations; and revised syllabuses and assessments.

As well as this, Sherilyn has lead training courses and workshops at various levels and the Dance Development Course at the annual Academy Conference.

'I love the many lifelong friends and associates I have made on my journey, as well as the opportunities dance has provided.”

Sherilyn leads training courses and workshops throughout the year at various levels, and annually at a national Dance Development Course.

Sherilyn has tutored dancers of all ages at numerous annual Summer Dance Camp schools throughout New Zealand and has assisted in taking dance teams overseas to perform on three occasions, at the International Military Tattoos in Norfolk, Virginia and at international conferences in Las Vegas.

'I have been privileged to attend international conferences on behalf of the Academy on three occasions in Las Vegas, tutoring in Step Dance on two of these occasions.

In 2011, Sherilyn was awarded life membership to the New Zealand Academy of Highland and National Dancing.

She served as Dance Director of the Piping and Dancing Association of New Zealand and was awarded life membership in 2015.

Sherilyn says you are only as proficient as the team around you and acknowledges those past and present members of the Technical Committee who have also given so much back to the Academy, as well as the Executive of the Academy who have supported her throughout her years as Director.

'And last but not least I acknowledge my husband Don and family who will take great pride in my being the recipient of this award.”

The New Zealand Royal Honours system provides a way for New Zealand to thank and congratulate people who have served their communities and to recognise people's achievements. Anyone can nominate anyone for a New Zealand Royal Honour. There are three Orders in the New Zealand honours system: The Order of New Zealand; the New Zealand Order of Merit; and The Queen's Service Order.

The honours system also includes various medals, such as the Queen's Service Medal, the Antarctic Medal, and the New Zealand Distinguished Service Decoration.