Wadadli Pen Awards This Saturday

You are invited to come out and support our budding writers at the March 31^st Celebration and Awards for the finalists in Wadadli Pen Challenge 2012, held in partnership with the Best of Books. The brief ceremony, which will include readings from the top stories by the authors, will be held at the bookstore’s Village Walk branch on Friars Hill Road at 6:30 p.m. Prizes will be distributed during the ceremony from these sponsors: ABI Insurance, ACT, Adventure Antigua, Antigua Rainforest Canopy Tour, Barbara Arrindell, Australian Homemade, the Best of Books, Blue Waters Hotel, Brenda Lee Browne, Caribbean Helicopters, D. Gisele Isaac, Frank B. Armstrong, Joanne C. Hillhouse, Jabberwocky, Jolly Beach Resort, Keyonna Beach Hotel, Little Antigua Island Tour, Conrad Luke, Claytine Nisbett, Ondeck, Stephen B. Shoul, Elaine Spires, and Floree Williams. We thank these sponsors for ensuring that we are able to adequately reward the writers of the interesting and diverse entries received. And we thank the media and public, in advance, for coming out to support.

SELECTIONS FROM THE A & B INDEPENDENCE LIT AWARDS 2011

The Antigua and Barbuda Independence Literary Awards dates back to 2005. You’ll find there’s a lot of overlap in the Antigua and Barbuda literary community. I served as a judge once or twice. The Awards’ first chairperson Brenda Lee Browne, who gave up the post after a four year run (2005, 2006, 2007, 2008), has been a Wadadli Pen judge for the past two years. Barbara Arrindell who announced her retirement from the chairmanship after 2011, having run it for three years (2009, 2010, 2011), has been, as manager of the Best of Books,  a supporter-cum-partner of Wadadli Pen from 2004. Our literary paths overlap in other ways, and there’s a reason for all that, a shared commitment to nurture and advance the literary arts in Antigua and Barbuda. The Independence Literary Awards plays a critical role in that process as it challenges participants of all ages to create to a common theme, usually a nationalistic theme. I was fortunate to be in the audience at this year’s awards to hear Barbara Arrindell deliver these words in the presence of the Culture Minister Eleston Adams. As he is himself a playwright, I hope he heeds them. The literary arts needs more foundational (and financial) support; that’s a fact.

But enough soap boxing; you came here to read about the winners. You’ll notice that this post is called ‘Selections from the A & B Independence Lit Awards 2011′. There’s a reason for that. I’m not posting and/or commenting on every single winning entry (separately), just some of my favourites (blogger’s discretion). Here they are:

First is the first, the young lady who pulled off the amazing upset by besting the two-time champion: Kimolisa Mings, of whose poetry (open mic to open mic) I am a quiet fan for its deceptively delicate force (both in delivery and content) so that

Mings a familiar open mic presence reading at the National Library Day programme at the Best of Books; image lifted from their facebook gallery of the event.

when she reads “They say the world/Is to end in 2012,/I say let it end”, you can’t help but murmur a quiet “yes!” because the flow of words has seduced you around to its point of view. And what is that point of view? Enough with the negativity, let’s tap into the positivity, and light, the God-ness that lives in us and conquer this darkness that threatens to consume. No, it’s not a religious poem but it comes from a deeply spiritual place, in my view, and most importantly, it hooks you. So, here, for your reading pleasure “This is Not a Good Time“.

And I like the concept of teen poet Jordee Josiah’s “I Whisper“. With the deft use of rhetoric, eye catching imagery, and a gently insistent tone, it’s no wonder this poet wowed the judges into granting first placed among poets 12 to 17.

I’m adding this one by one of the little ones because I think it shows promise, and an understanding that the crux of fiction is conflict …if the author were to revisit this story perhaps in a few years, they’d no doubt discover that they could give it more shade and detail, but for now, for a child, it’s a good start. Reminds me a little of one of the winning entries in the 12 and under of Wadadli Pen (2012) in that regard, a story called Mongoose in a Hole - a simple premise in search of a solution. The original submission was actually little more than the premise but it was enough of one to capture the judges’ attention and during the editing cycle of our contest, it grew not just in length but depth. That same potential resides in winner of the 11 and under short story Dante Barton’s Forward On.

Rev. Denise Smith-Lewis won the fiction contest but had to settle for second place in poetry this year even with a strong and resonant parent child take on the theme that spoke of sacrifice and pride; as usual her presentation of it lifted it from the page and it was easily a favourite of the night: Just Forward On.

Emiline Bero’s third placed story (which actually feels more like a personal essay than a short story to be honest) in the teen category was quite clean and poignant, and, as I’m reminded when I talk to nieces, nephews, and other kids I come into contact with, (unfortunately) topical. It deals with the topic of bullying and pushing through it: Forward On.

I liked the humour of Star’s (regular Wadadli Pen winners will know her as Shakeema Edwards – a 2010 and 2011 Wadadi Pen finalist in the teen category) third placed adult (yes, she’s adult now) short story: A New Stove for Independence.

In fact, I liked bits and pieces of some of the others. Some in the winners’ circle I felt clung to cliché or didn’t stretch themselves enough creatively, and I didn’t think having ‘forward on’ as the theme meant it had to be repeated incessantly (show, don’t tell, remember), but there were interesting moments even in those. Here’s the Full List of Winners: All Winners Independence Lit Awards 2011 and here’s my report on the awards ceremony.

FYI, because it’s important to keep a record of these things (so I hope I’m getting this right), this means that the Independence Literary Awards winners are, in order:

Zeina Hechme 2005

Lawrence Jardine 2006

Hazra Medica 2007

Kemal Osmel Nicholson 2008 (incidentally a 2006 Wadadli Pen Honourable Mention)

Rev Denise Smith Lewis 2009

Rev Denise Smith Lewis 2010

Kimolisa Mings 2011

Post Note

Post contest, winners have been making the media rounds; Devra Thomas, as overall and 18 to 35 winner, has been contacted by and will be featured in a pending publication by News Pages; and Orique Gordon, along with other winners in the 12 and under category, Zuri Holder and Keillia Mentor appeared with their parents on Auntie Debbie’s Our House on Observer Radio. Winning stories through the years will be featured in a special issue of online children’s journal, Anansesem.

But it’s the small moments that resonate…receiving the edits of the short listed pieces from the writers
(who readily embraced the redrafting process guided by Judge Brenda Lee Browne’s comments), preparing and delivering the prizes (it’s a bit like wrapping presents at Christmas), and feedback like this…

Orique sharing that he’s started work on another story, Zuri sharing that he just keeps staring at the cheque he received (not depositing or cashing it, just staring at it!), their faces as they read their stories on air (nerves and joy in one nice bundle), the pride in the parents’ voices…

And emails like these:

“We were thrilled to be a part of such a lovely event and Freya was blown over with all her ‘Winnings’. We have been to
register with Edison and I am (sure) she will benefit greatly from his expertise .”
- from the mom of eight year old Freya Platts-Costeloe
(second in the art contest…the Edison mentioned is Edison Liburd who donated two scholarships worth EC$300+ each to his art camp to the two art winners)

“Elated mother (what a mother’s day gift)”
- from Orique’s mom on learnng her son had made the finals.

“I am so grateful to write and receive encouragement…you inspire me to step out”
- from Devra after her win.

The truth is, they inspire me.

Who Won in 2011?

Congrats to all the winners!

Thanks to all partners and sponsors.

Admittedly, we’d still love to see more entries, and this was a tough year for attracting prizes, but we got some really quality pieces(read and see for yourself), and we tried to evenly distribute what we were able to attract (weighing in sponsor preferences) and keeping in mind that the prizes are an incentive not the point of creating.

In addition to prizes mentioned, all winners receive a certificate from the Wadadli Pen team; plus the Challenge plaque, sponsored by Best of Books, has been emblazoned with the winner’s name and will hang in the store until it is updated with the next winner’s name.

VISUAL ART AWARDS

First Placed:

Hudle Jennings
for illustration of Sands and Butterflies story (writer: Devra Thomas)

Prize Package –

• Art Camp scholarship – Edison Arts
• EC$250 – Caribbean Alliance  Insurance Company Ltd.
• Hula Girl (framed art piece) – Jennifer Meranto

Second Placed:

Hudle Jennings
for illustration of The Curse of the Kumina (writer: Shakeema Edwards)

Prize Package –

• EC$125 – Caribbean Alliance Insurance Company Ltd.
• Books –
• All That Glitters is Not Gold – Marcel Marshall (author)
• The Boy from Willow Bend –
  Joanne C. Hillhouse (author)
• The Scarlet Letter (author: Nathaniel Hawthorne – audio book) – the Best of Books

Third Placed:

Freya Platts-Costeloe
(8, Island Academy) for illustration of The Scary Story (writer: Zuri Holder)

Prize Package –

• Art camp scholarship – Edison Arts
• EC$75 – Caribbean Alliance Insurance Company Ltd.
• Freedom (framed art piece)
  – Jennifer Meranto
• Art project books – The Best of Books
• A children’s music CD –
  Joanne C. Hillhouse

LITERARY ARTS AWARDS

12 and Under

First Placed:

The Lost Coin
by Orique Gordon (11, Minoah Magnet Academy)

Prize Package –

• EC$150 – Caribbean Alliance  Insurance Company Ltd.
• A selection of children’s books and gifts – The Best of Books
• Boat Boys (framed art piece) – Jennifer Meranto
• Party gift certificate – K & E Party Time

Second Placed:

The Scary Night
by Zuri Holder (10, Sunnyside
Tutorial)

Prize Package –

• EC$75 – Caribbean Alliance Insurance Company Ltd.
• A selection of children’s books and gifts – The Best of Books
• Book – Ninth Ward – Jewell Parker Rhodes (author)

Third Placed:

Mongoose in the Hole
by Keillia Mentor (10, Buckley’s Primary)

Prize Package –

• EC$75 – Caribbean Alliance Insurance Company Ltd.
• A selection of children’s books and gifts – The Best of Books
• Book – Ninth Ward – Jewell Parker Rhodes (author)

13 to 17

First Placed:

The Legend of Banana Boy
by Chatrisse Beazer (16, Princess Margaret School)

Prize Package –

• EC$350 (and miscellaneous gifts) – ABI Insurance
• Books – Turn Thanks (author: Lorna Goodison) & Prospero’s Daughter (author: Elizabeth Nunez) – Antigua and Barbuda International   Literary Festival

Second Placed:

The Curse of the Kumina by Shakeema Edwards
(17, Antigua State College)

Prize Package –

• EC$250 (and miscellaneous gifts) – ABI Insurance
• Books – Turn Thanks
  (author: Lorna Goodison) & Prospero’s Daughter (author: Elizabeth
  Nunez) – Antigua and Barbuda International Literary Festival

Third Placed:

Pre School Days
by Ardis Lavelle (17, Antigua State College)

Prize Package –

• EC$150 (and miscellaneous gifts) – ABI Insurance
• Books – Turn Thanks (author: Lorna Goodison) & Prospero’s Daughter (author: Elizabeth Nunez) – Antigua and Barbuda International Literary Festival
• Book – All that Glitters is not Gold – Marcel Marshall (author)

18 to 35

First Placed:

Sands and Butterflies by Devra Thomas

Prize Package –

• EC$150 (and miscellaneous gifts) – ABI Insurance
• EC$150 – D. Gisele Isaac
• Books – Sugar (author: Bernice McFadden) & Selected Poems (author: Lorna Goodison) – Antigua and Barbuda International Literary Festival

Second Placed:

Cocos Nucifera
by S A Dixon

Prize Package –

• EC$100 – D. Gisele Isaac
• Valise – Benetton
• Books – Sugar (author: Bernice McFadden) & Selected Poems (author: Lorna Goodison) – Antigua and Barbuda International Literary Festival

Third Placed:

Market Day
by Latisha Walker-Jacobs

Prize Package –

• EC$100 (and miscellaneous gifts) – ABI Insurance
• Vegetable Stand (framed art piece) - Jennifer Meranto
• Books – Sugar (author: Bernice McFadden) & Selected Poems (author: Lorna Goodison) – Antigua and Barbuda International Literary Festival

OVERALL WINNERS

First Placed:

Sands and Butterflies by Devra Thomas

Prize Package –

• Trophy – ABI Insurance
• EC$500 – International Women’s Club of Antigua and Barbuda
• Books –
• The Caribbean Writer 2010 Edition & The Boy from Willow Bend – Joanne C. Hillhouse (author)
• Pink Teacups and Blue Dresses & Through the Window – Floree Williams (author)

Second Placed (tie):

The Lost Coin
by Orique Gordon

Prize Package –

• EC$175 – Frank B. Armstrong/Seven Seas
• A children’s music CD – Joanne C. Hillhouse
• Books – Captain’s Courageous (author: Rudyard Kipling – audio book)

Second Placed (tie):

The Curse of the Kumina
by Shakeema Edwards

Prize Package –

• EC$175 – Frank B. Armstrong/Seven Seas
• Book – Anna in-Between (author: Elizabeth Nunez) – Antigua and Barbuda International Literary Festival

Third Placed:

The Legend of Banana Boy by Chatrisse Beazer

Prize Package –

• EC$150 – Frank B. Armstrong/Seven Seas
• Book – Anna in-Between (author: Elizabeth Nunez) – Antigua and Barbuda International Literary Festival

From the Wadadli Pen Photo Archives

The Optimists some years ago singled out a handful of Wadadli Pen winners for recognition. They were 2005 winner Sandrena Martin, youth winner Sarah Ann Li, and finalist several times over Rilys Adams. Here they are:

Sandrena accepting her award.

 

Who Won in 2010?

The Wadadli Pen prize returned in 2010 as part of a series of Black History Month activities (with the theme ‘Black and Beautiful’). For the first time, it also included an art component and a breakdown of winners by additional age categories; also the age limit was pushed from 18 to 35. Additionally, whereas the literary competition had previously accepted entries only in the fiction writing category, it opened up to other genres in 2010.

*In adddition to the prizes listed, several winners received a Ladybird bag from the Best of Books, and all winning artists had their pieces displayed both at the Museum of Antigua and Barbuda (during the Black History Month visual arts exhibition) and at the Art Loft where they also attracted buyer interest.

Literary Arts Winners:

Best Writer in the 12 and under age category:

Terrikia Benjamin – 12 – AGHS – Title: Happy to be Black

Prize Package:

• EC $50 (gift certificate) – Cedric Holder for the Cushion Club
• EC $100 from D. Gisele Isaac

Best Writer in the 13 to 17 age category:

Shakeema Edwards – 16 – AGHS – Title: Skin Deep

Prize Package:

• Books – a copy of Ladies of the Night by Althea Prince (courtesy Althea Prince); and, courtesy Best of Books, The Festival of San Joaquin by Zee Edgell and Marlon James’ John Crow’s Devil
• EC $200 from D. Gisele Isaac

Best Writer in the 18 to 35 age category:

Hilesha S. Humphreys – Black and Beautiful

Prize Package:

• Book – a copy of Being Black – Althea Prince
• EC $200 from D. Gisele Isaac
• EC $100 gift certificate – The Best of Books

*No overall winner was selected and as such no name was added to the challenge trophy sponsored by the Best of Books.

Visual Arts Winners:

Best Artist in the 12 and under age category:

Déjà Phillip – 11 – Foundation Mixed School

Prize Package:

• Gift certificate for two hour art tutorial with Jane Seagull and a copy of the Debbie Eckert print ‘Fatawi’s Birthday Balloon’ – courtesy these artists and the Art Loft
• EC $100 gift certificate – The Best of Books
• EC $100 from Raeburn Generator Services

Best Artist in the 13 to 17 age category:

Ashley Clendenen's winning entry quickly attracted buyer interest when on show at the Art Loft

Ashley Clendenen – 17 – Antigua State College – Title: Pride

Prize Package:

• Gift certificate for art tutorial and a print of ‘Daria’s Friend’ both from Debbie Eckert of the Art Loft
• EC $200 from Raeburn Generator Services

Best artist in the 18 to 35 age category:

Akeem Barry – 18 – Antigua State College

Prize Package:

• EC $100 gift certificate – Stephen B. Shoul’s
• EC $200 from Raeburn Generator Services

Overall winner in the visual arts category:

Shem Alexander – 17 – ASC

Prize Package:

• EC $250 gift certificate – Harper’s
• EC $500 cheque – Daily Observer
• Gift from Jeweler’s Warehouse   (value US$135)
  

  Shem Alexander collects his gifts from Museum director Michelle Henry.

Who won in 2005?

2005 Wadadli Pen winners (front from left K. Charles, C. Beazer, S. Li, V. Benta; back R. Adams and S. Martin) flanked by Youth Minister Winston Williams and Wadadli Pen chief judge, D. Gisele Isaac.

*In addition to prizes mentioned, all winners receive a certificate from the YE WYPP team.

Also, special prize to the school with the most submissions – Buckley’s Primary – 20 books donated by Macmillan Publishers. This included copies of Backfire and Act of God (various authors); Baba and Mr. Big, Full Circle: The Rami Johnson Story, A Cow called Boy, and Big Doc Bitterroot (C. Everard Palmer); The Legend of St. Ann’s Flood (Debbie Jacob); Caribbean Folk Tales and Fantasies (Michael Anthony); The Annihilation of Fish and Other Stories (Anthony Winkler); and The Boy from Willow Bend (Joanne C. Hillhouse)

Honourable Mention – Under-12 Category:

 Chatrisse Beazer, 10, Irene B. Williams School student for her story A Scary Night.

Prize Package:

• Big Banana gift certificate
• Best of Books gift certificate [valued at EC$40]
• EC$100 cash – YE WYPP [thanks to American Women’s Club & Daily Observer contributions]
• YE WYPP certificate for ‘The Boy from Willow Bend’ (Joanne C. Hillhouse) courtesy Macmillan
•  Teddy Bear – HERO

Honourable Mention – General:

 Debesha S. A. Grant, 18, for her story Blue Mountain Hike.

Prize Package:

• Images.Cam photo package
• Motion in Poetry book/CD combo – Motion/Women’s Press
• EC$100 cash – YE WYPP [thanks to American Women’s Club & Daily Observer contributions]
•  YE WYPP certificate for ‘Dancing Nude in the Moonlight’ (Joanne C. Hillhouse) & ‘Brother Man’ (Roger Mais) courtesy Macmillan

Kennella Charles, 16, Ottos Comprehensive student, for her story Awaken to the Night.

Prize Package:

• Images.Cam photo package
• The Source gift certificate [valued at EC$125]
• EC$100 cash – YE WYPP [thanks to American Women’s Club & Daily Observer contributions]
• YE WYPP certificate for ‘Dancing Nude in the Moonlight’ (Joanne C. Hillhouse) & ‘There’s No Place Like’ (Tessa McWatt) courtesy Macmillan

Verdanci Benta, 12, Antigua Girls High School student, for her story Boysie’s Fixed Account.

Prize Package:

• Woods Gift Certificate [valued at EC$100]
•  Best of Books Gift Certificate [ valued at EC$40]
• EC$100 cash – YE WYPP [thanks to American Women’s Club & Daily Observer contributions]
• YE WYPP certificate for ‘The Hummingbird Tree’ (Ian McDonald) & ‘Butler, Til the Final Bell’ (Michael Anthony) courtesy Macmillan

BEST UNDER 12 WRITER

Best Under-12 Writer:

Sarah Ann Li, 11, St. Andrew’s School student, for her story Lucky Dollar.

Prize Package:

• Happy Kids Gift Certificate [valued at EC$150]
• Caribbean Helicopters [US$80 voucher for tour]
• Red portfolio, mini-portfolio & paints – Harper’s
• EC$150 cash – YE WYPP [thanks to American Women’s Club & Daily Observer contributions]YE
• YE WYPP certificate for ‘The Boy from Willow Bend’ (Joanne C. Hillhouse) & ‘Going Home and Other Tales from Guyana’ (Deryck Bernard) courtesy Macmillan
• Teddy Bear – HERO

TOP THREE WRITERS

Third Place:

Liscia Lawrence, 17, Clare Hall Secondary School student, for her story Misinterpreted.

Prize Package:

• EC$350 Food voucher – Anjo Wholesale
• Jolly Beach day pass for two
• EC$100 Kool Net gift certificate
• Benetton bag
• EC$50 Best of Books gift certificate [courtesy Cedric Holder and the Cushion Club]
• ‘Motion in Poetry’ – Motion/Women’s Press
• YE WYPP certificate for ‘Dancing Nude in the Moonlight’ (Joanne C. Hillhouse) & ‘Brother Man’ (Roger Mais) courtesy Macmillan

Second Place:

Rilys Adams, 15, Antigua Girls High School student, for her story Fictional Reality.

Prize Package:

• Two LIAT tickets
• Citizen watch and bracelet [from Colombian Emeralds]
• Best of Books Gift Certificate [valued at $60]
• EC$100 Kool Net gift certificate
• YE WYPP certificate for ‘Dancing Nude in the Moonlight’ (Joanne C. Hillhouse) & ‘Ginger Lily’ (Margaret Knight) courtesy Macmillan

Winner:

Sandrena Martin, 16, Antigua State College student, for her story The Torturer.

Prize Package:

• Personal Internet Communicator [MAX]– Cable and Wireless
  

  Me, Joanne C. Hillhouse, collecting the Cable and Wireless contribution from Corporate Communications Manager Paula Lee.

• BWIA ticket to any Caribbean destination
• Cross Pen – Stephen B. Shoul [est. value EC$120]
•  ‘Bein’ Black’– Althea Prince/ Insomniac Press/ Canadian Scholars’ Press
• EC$100 Kool Net gift certificate
• YE WYPP certificate for ‘Dancing Nude in the Moonlight’ (Joanne C. Hillhouse) & ‘Such as I have’ (Garfield Ellis) courtesy Macmillan
• Teddy Bear – HERO

Who won in 2004?

Prize donors, Culture and Education officials with some of the 2004 winners (standing from left S. Hunte, L. Lawrence, G. George, L. Nicholson's mom, D. Tabor)

*In addition to prizes mentioned, all winners received a certificate from the YE WYPP team.

Honourable Mention – General:

Liscia Lawrence, 16, Clare Hall Secondary School, for her story The Day I Saw Evil.

Prize Package:

• CD (Alicia Keys) – King Progress

Sienna K. Margrie Hunt, 13, CKHS, for her story Nuclear Family Explosion.

Prize Package:

• $75 gift certificate – Exotic Antigua

Damani Tabor, 18, Hatton, for his story Irate Beggar.

Prize Package:

• CD (Mario Winans) and poetry book – King Progress

Best Under-12 Writer:

Verdanci Benta, 11, Golden Grove Primary, for her story Shirley’s New Roommate.

Prize Package:

•  Three book gift set – S E James (author of Tragedy on Emerald Island, A Narrow Escape, Kidnapped at the Beach)
• $50 voucher – Bailey’s Jewellery
• Movie ticket – Deluxe
• Gift certificate – Cushion Club

TOP THREE WRITERS

Third Place:

Verdanci Benta, 11, Golden Grove Primary, for her story Shirley’s New Roommate.

Prize Package:

• EC $150 – Anicol
• Three months free Internet – Cable & Wireless
• Under the Calabash Tree – Leon ‘Chaku’ Symester (author)
• Pendant – Antigua Jewellers
• Two movie tickets – Deluxe
• EC $100 – D. Gisele Isaac

Second Place:

Lia Nicholson, 15, Putney School, VT, USA – formerly of Sunnyside Tutorial, for her story Tekin’ ahn Dey.

Prize Package:

•  Two Caribbean Star tickets
• Three months free Internet – Cable and Wireless
• $300 gift certificate – Benetton
• Three book gift package – The Map Shop
• Pen – Howell Jewellers
•  Under the Calabash Tree (book) – King Progress
•  Two movie tickets – Deluxe

Winner:

Gemma George, 18, Antigua State College student, for her story Stray Dog Prepares for the Storm.

Prize Package:

Gemma with Comnett owner Gerard Shoul collecting her prize.

• Computer, printer, and other accessories – Comnett
•  Two tickets to Costa Rica – BWIA
• Engraved pen – Antigua Jewellers
•  Three months free internet – Cable and Wireless
• 1 Movie ticket – Deluxe
•  Under the Calabash Tree – Leon ‘Chaku’ Symester (author)
• $100 gift certificate – The Best of Books
• Dancing Nude in the Moonlight – Joanne C. Hillhouse (author)

Who won in 2006?

2006 winners - front from left V. Benta and R. Richards; back from left A. O'Donoghue, R. Adams, B. Rose

*In addition to prizes mentioned, all winners receive a certificate from the YE WYPP team and t-shirts with the competition logo  from Sharon Embroidery. Also, as of this year, Best of Books undertook to purchase a Challenge Trophy and each year engrave unto it the name of the winner (retroactive to the first year).

Under-12 Honourable Mention:

Chatrisse Beazer, 11, Irene B. Williams School; story ‘The Rescue’.

Prize Package:

• EC$120 – from monies contributed (2005) by Daily Observer
• Gift (School bag and mini-radio) – OK Johnny

Honourable Mention – General:

Kemal Osmel Nicholson, 17, Antigua State College (formerly St. Joseph’s Academy); ‘Ma Belle’from his ‘Bayside Tales’.

Prize Package:

• EC $120 – from monies raised during Word Up! fundraiser
• Book – Going Home and other Tales from Guyana (Deryck M. Bernard) – Macmillan Caribbean
• EC $50 gift certificate – Subway

Verdanci Benta, 13, Antigua Girls High School; ‘The Village Obeah Woman’.

Prize Package:

• EC $125 – from monies contributed by D. Gisele Isaac
• Book – The Annihilation of Fish and Other Stories (Anthony Winkler) – Macmillan Caribbean
• EC $75 Gift certificate for school supplies – Sight Sound and Time

 

Blair A. Rose, 13, Antigua Girls High School; ‘The Day I became a Man’.

Prize Package:

• EC $120 – from monies contributed (2005) by Daily Observer
• Book – Such as I have (Garfield Ellis) – Macmillan Caribbean
• Gift certificate – The Source

Third Placed Writer:

Rosalie Amelia Richards, 12, Christ the King High School; ‘The Creation’.

Prize Package:

• EC $150 – from monies contributed by Dawn Gibson
• EC $200 account certificate – Community First
• Kid’s Fragrance – Flo’s Perfume+
• Watch set – Colombian Emeralds
• Book – Ginger Lily (Margaret Knight) – Macmillan Caribbean
• HERO – Teddy Bear
• Gift certificate – The Cushion Club
• Free copies of Young Explorer with winning story for entire class – Young Explorer

Second Placed Writer:

Rilys Adams, 16, Antigua Girls High School; ‘Unheard’.

Prize Package:

• Barbuda Tour x 2 – Barbuda Express & Nedd Tours
• EC $200 – from monies contributed by Dawn Gibson
• Discman  – Hitachi Centre
• Mini-computer speakers – Electronic World
• EC $300 gift voucher – King Progress Music Shop
• CD – ‘Ab-soul-uuutely Dotsie’ – Dotsie Isaac Gellizeau
• Journal – Spirit of Nature
• Book – There’s No Place Like (Tessa McWatt) – Macmillan Caribbean
• Gift (Teen Fragrance) – Flo’s Perfume+
• Book – Becoming the Professional You – Guidance and Learning Centre

Winner:

Ayoka [Angelica] O’Donoghue, 17, Antigua State College (formerly Princess Margaret School); ‘Road Trip to Paradise’.

Prize Package:

• Name engraved on challenge plaque – Best of Books/Made in Antigua
• EC $600 travel voucher – BWIA
• EC $500 – Caribbean Union Bank
• Computer Course valued at EC $300 – Computer Reset
• Printer – Illuminat & printer dustcover
• Six months free Internet time – Cable and Wireless
• Pen Set (valued at over EC $200) – Stephen B. Shoul
• Watch set – Colombian Emeralds
• Computer desk and chair – Courts
• Books – Butler, till the final bell (Michael Anthony) + The Hummingbird Tree (Ian McDonald) – Macmillan Caribbean