As always, we couldn’t do this without support. In 2017, this has meant partners Barbara Arrindell, Joanne C. Hillhouse, Margaret Irish, Devra Thomas, Floree Whyte – along with intern Michaela Harris and judges Glen Toussaint and Sharifa George – volunteering, working together, and playing our roles. We, especially, couldn’t do it without our patrons; without them, we would have no rewards to offer our deserving writers. So, we pause to say thank you. Thank you for coming through (mostly). Thank you for making it possible for us to encourage and reward the cream of Wadadli Pen Challenge’s 2017 crop as decided by our judging team. Thank you for your tangible contribution to the arts and youth development in our twin island state, Antigua and Barbuda. To anyone reading this, we encourage you to support the businesses (also the individuals and organizations) that support the arts.
Here’s how the prizes break down – in addition to certificates for each winner from Wadadli Pen, sponsored by the Best of Books:
School with the Most Submissions – Island Academy International School (22 out of 93 eligible submissions)
- Writing workshop with facilitator fee and miscellaneous expenses to be covered by a patron who wishes to remain anonymous
- EC$500 gift certificate toward the purchase of books, sponsored by the Eastern Caribbean Amalgamated Bank
- CAPE and CSEC books across several subject areas, contributed by

12 and Younger category winners (from left Ashley, Zion, Shadiael, and Emma) at the May 13th award ceremony. Photo by Linisa George/Art. Culture. Antigua
12 and Younger
Finalists in the 12 and Younger category receive gifts sponsored by US-based Antiguan and Barbudan Juneth Webson and books contributed by plus:
Honourable Mention – Ashley Francis (11, student at St. Andrew’s School; author of ‘Our Caribbean’)
3rd – Shadiael Simmons (11, student at Baptist Academy; author of ‘Brave Eleven-year-old saved Two Months Baby’)
2nd – Emma Belizaire (11, student at St. Andrew’s school; author of ‘Cricket is My Life’)
- EC$100 contributed by
- With Grace, a book by Joanne C. Hillhouse, contributed by publisher
- Gift contributed by the West Indies Cricket Board
1st – Zion Ebony Williams (11, student at Baptist Academy; author of ‘Those who don’t hear, will feel’)
- EC$125 contributed by
- With Grace, a book by Joanne C. Hillhouse, contributed by publisher
- EC$50 gift certificate for books, contributed by the Cushion Club

13 to 17 category winners (from left Francis, Devon, and Andrecia) at the May 13th award ceremony. Photo by Linisa George/Art. Culture. Antigua
13 to 17
3rd (tie) – Andrecia Lewis (17, student at Antigua State College; author of ‘Strange’)
- EC$75 contributed by the International Women’s Club of Antigua and Barbuda
- Books – The Sisters and Manco’s Stories by Jan Carew + Reached by Ally Condie contributed by the Best of Books
3rd (tie) – Francis Yankey (16, student at Antigua Grammar School; author of ‘And She sang Fire’)
- EC$75 contributed by the International Women’s Club of Antigua and Barbuda
- Books – The Sisters and Manco’s Stories by Jan Carew + Cirque du Freak: Lord of the Shadows by Darren Shan contributed by the Best of Books
2nd – Ava C. Ralph (16, student at Antigua Girls’ High School; author of ‘Non Fiction?’)
- EC$125 contributed by the International Women’s Club of Antigua and Barbuda
- Books – Jeremiah, Devil of the Woods by Martina Altman, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J. K. Rowling, + Champions of the Gayelle by Alwyn Bully, Zeno Constance, and Pat Cumper contributed by the Best of Books
1st – Devon Wuilliez (16, student at Island Academy International School; author of ‘The Great Big Dumz’)
- EC$225 contributed by the International Women’s Club of Antigua and Barbuda
- Two vouchers to visit Antigua’s sister island, Barbuda, contributed by Barbuda Express
- Books – Jeremiah, Devil of the Woods by Martina Altman, Twilight: Breaking Dawn by Stephanie Meyer, + Dragon’s Oath: A House of Night novella by P. C. Cast and Kristin Cast contributed by the Best of Books

18 to 35 winners (from left Lucia, Kaeiron, and Fayola) with the Best of Books sponsored Alstyne Allen Memorial Plaque at the May 13th awards ceremony. Photo by Linisa George/Art. Culture. Antigua
18 to 35
3rd – Fayola Jardine (author of ‘Shakiyah and the Mango Hater’)
- EC$100 contributed by Caribbean Reads Publishing
- Books on writing – 3 A M Epiphany by Brian Kitely and This Year You write Your Novel by Walter Mosely, and Just Write Writers’ retreat scholarship, contributed by Brenda Lee Browne
- Books contributed by
2nd – Lucia Murray (student, St. Anthony’s Secondary School; author of ‘Mr. Duppy’)
- EC$200 contributed by Juneth Webson
- Book on writing – On Writing by Stephen King, and Just Write Writers’ retreat scholarship, contributed by Brenda Lee Browne
- Books contributed by
1st – Kaeiron Saunders (teacher, St. Anthony’s Secondary School; author of ‘Not Another Island Story; as told by Auntie Gah’)
- EC$300 contributed by Juneth Webson
- Gift basket/bag of products contributed by
- Book on writing – Unleash the Poem by Wendy Nyemaster, contributed by Brenda Lee Browne
- Books contributed by

At the awards: Kaeiron Saunders, overall winner, with the Best of Books sponsored Alstyne Allen Memorial plaque which bears the names of all the winners since Wadadli Pen started in 2004. Photo by Linisa George/Art. Culture. Antigua
Top Three Overall
3rd – Zion Ebony Williams
- EC$200 contributed by Frank B. Armstrong
- Art made and contributed by artist Jennifer Meranto
- cake voucher contributed by Danz’s Sweet Dreams
2nd – Devon Wuilliez
- EC$300 contributed by Frank B. Armstrong
- Art made and contributed by artist Jennifer Meranto
- One-on-one coaching session with author Joanne C. Hillhouse
Winner! Winner! Winner! – Kaeiron Saunders
- EC$500
- Pen contributed by Paperclips
- External hard drive contributed by the Cushion Club
- Journal made by artist Jane Seagull
- Art made and contributed by artist Jennifer Meranto
- Two novels (contributed by the author Claudia Elizabeth Ruth Francis)
- Inspirational card (from a line created and contributed by Monique S. Simon’s Caribbean Folklore Project)
- Name added to the Challenge plaque sponsored by the Best of Books
Featured image and some of the included images by Linisa George/ Thanks to them. Thanks as well to the media who helped us get the word out including Antigua Nice, where Wadadli Pen has a year-round presence as their contribution to our project; and media who shared our notices and releases, or who hosted us for interviews (primarily ABS and Observer media). Thanks all; any oversights are not intentional.