FEATURE
Antigua’s brightest young scribes crowned in annual writing challenge
T he benefits of creative writing go far beyond helping children master language and perfect their penmanship. It’s a great way for them to explore their imagination, strengthen their cognitive skills and process their emotions – skills that are all the more valuable in the age of AI. The Ministry of Education’s annual summer writing challenge once again prompted scores of children aged six to 18 to put pen to paper. The 126 participants wrote poems, essays or dramatic pieces on one of five themes: volunteerism, man and animals, mental health, sports, and the Organization of American States (OAS). The victorious aspiring scribes were treated to a special lunch and awards ceremony at the Hodges Bay Resort in January. Winner of the 6-9 age category was Noah Michael of Liberta Primary School, who chose the topic of man and animals. Khor Johnson of Newfield Primary took joint first place with a piece on mental health. It was the second consecutive year of success for Khor who claimed top place the year before with an upbeat poem about gratitude. In the 10–13 category, Kirvin Marcellin of All Saints Secondary School took top nods writing about mental health. Jhamely Paredes of Ottos Comprehensive wrote about volunteerism to
take second place, while Micah Thomas of Antigua Grammar School chose man and animals to claim third spot. In the 14–18 category, Kesus Barnes of Irene B Williams Secondary, Ti-ikha Edwards of Island Academy and Jaiheel Goodwin of Sir Novelle Richards Academy were named the top three winners, writing about volunteerism, mental health, and sports, respectively. The challenge is organised each year by Education Officer for Language Arts, Dr Desryn Collins. She expressed thanks to the event’s annual sponsor, long-time resident and philanthropist Cheryll Rogers, Luxury Locations’ Nadia Dyson for publishing the results, and Hodges Bay Resort for supporting the 2025 awards ceremony. Dr Collins said she believes the competition helps young people express themselves constructively, and encouraged more students across Antigua & Barbuda to take part in future challenges. “We definitely saw an increase in interest in the 2025 edition, with entries across all five topics,” she told Luxury Locations Magazine. The fifth instalment of the contest was launched in June 2026. n
ABOVE: Back row, left to right: Cheryll Rogers (sponsor), Jhamely Paredes, Tik-ikha Edwards, Kirvin Marcellin, Kesus Barnes, Jahleel Goodwin, Dr Desryn Collins (Education Officer, Language Arts), Honorable Daryll Matthew (Minister of Education). Front row: Micah Thomas, Noah Michael, Khor Johnson.
RIGHT: Dr Desryn Collins, Education Officer, Language Arts with Cheryll Rogers, Sponsor of the Summer Writing Challenge 2025.
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