Writers Win Awards for Worldly Words

Essays about their hopes and dreams for the world, written by Island School students, have been awarded prizes in the Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition.

The winning students: Priscilla Lee (11F), Van An Trinh (11N), Arthur Harris (8E) and Gloria Zheng (9F) attended a prize giving ceremony on the 2nd of December at Helena May House .

The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition is the oldest writing competition for international schools, managed by the Royal Commonwealth Society (RCS) since 1883. It offers opportunities for students under the age of 18 in the Commonwealth to express their hopes and dreams for the world, empowering future generations through the power of words. Past winners of this competition include author Elspeth Huxley, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Mei Fong, and the current Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Hsien Loong.

The students were invited to a formal ceremony, where Dr Brian Brewer, a council member at the RCS, presented each winner with their certificates, and a book voucher for Kelly and Walsh.

One of the winners, Van An Trinh 11N said: “The experience was absolutely amazing! With 22 different countries participating, and over 12,300 entries this year, the competition was fierce. I was so surprised when I received the notice that I had won an award, despite all the other talented entries, so I am very thankful. I definitely encourage all students to join the competition, and I hope I can participate again next year!”

By Priscilla Lee (Media Team)