Students in writing final

THREE WICKLOW students have beaten off thousands of competitors from around the country to reach the final of the 2014 John West Fantasy Writing Competition.

Kayley Clare Malone and Safiq Murray - both students of Colaiste Chill Mhantain in Wicklow Town - and Orla O’Callaghan, a 5th class pupil at St. Patrick’s Loretto Primary School in Bray, were among the 21 entries to progress to the national final.

This year’s competition challenged students to write a fantasy or sciencefiction themed story on the theme of ‘A Wild Adventure.’

Currently in its fourth year, there are three categories - for 5th/6th class primary students, 1st - 3rd year secondary students and senior secondary students (4th - 6th year).

Orla’s story, ‘First Prize in the Raffle’ tells of a vampire she drew taking on a life of its own and dragging her back into the picture with her. Kayleigh’s entry - called ‘ The Journey’ - chronicles a lion cub searching for its pride after being separated following an attack by humans. ‘ The Story of How Gaston Lost his Spaceship in a Human Cupboard’ - Safiq’s uniquely-named story - follows a teenage girl on an adventure to the Planet Betelguese.

The Mansion House in Dublin will host the final on May 14 where each of the three category winners will receive an iPod Touch. Furthermore, the overall winner will get a tablet PC and the opportunity to share their work with a literary agent.