WRITING COMPETITION UNEARTHS TALENTED LOCAL YOUTHS

The Jordan Youth Development Trust in conjunction with Incipient Minds launched a creative writing competition in October of last year for students from the City of London Academy (CoLA). Students were encouraged to write an essay of up to seven hundred and fifty words on "I am who I am because of..." and the competition was open to all GCSE students who could also use the essay as part of their coursework. Of the one hundred and ninety two entries, three winners were chosen from 24 finalists. The three winning essays have won a prestigious place at Lifebeat’s summer camp which helps students develop artistic and social skills. The 24 finalists, including the winners, were treated to a matinee showing of Blood Brothers in London’s West End on March 18th 2010.

The project was sponsored by Southwark Court Leet King’s Manor which donated £1,500 while The Trademark Group matched this funding to bring the grand total to almost £3,000. Remaining funds will be used by CoLA to buy new books for the humanities department.

Winners were chosen by internationally renowned writer and curator Michael McMillan.

Terry McMillan of the Jordan Youth Development Trust stated, "The standard of writing was exceptional. Deciding upon the winners was very difficult given the field but our congratulations go out to the three winners. They provided us with well written essays that were very considered and demonstrate the talent seen amongst youth in Southwark."

Read two of the winning essays:
What makes me who I Am
I am who I am because....