Rotary club’s young writers competition attracts more than 200 entries

MORE than 200 students from East Leake Academy entered a short story into Shepshed Charnwood Rotary Club’s annual Young Writers Competition.

Judges Bill Watson and June Hutchinson faced a difficult task in deciding the winners before the recent awards ceremony. The top three in the Senior category were: 1. Joe Humphries - Last Moments. 2. Zoe Barnett - The Day I Met a Ghost. 3. Stuart Finch - The Game of Life. And in the Juniors category, the top three entries were: 1. Freya Kemp - Crime Story. 2. Amelia Trencher - Crime Story: Ice Cold Murder. 3. Theo Marshall - Crime Story – Murder at the Heathcliff. A special award for the most improved writer, selected by the Academy, was given to Shane Pepper.

A Shepshed Charnwood Rotary Club spokesperson said: “The club is proud to be involved in this literacy event and the help and enthusiasm of the Academy’s staff is vital to its success.

“President Mike Lister congratulated the students, not just on their stories, but also their courage to stand up in front of an audience, albeit friendly, and read their work.

“Pam Slack from the English Department thanked the club for their continued support, not only for this competition but for sponsoring the author’s workshop earlier in the year.

“Further thanks went to both judges and to the Academy’s principal, Mrs Kathy Hardy, for her encouragement and support.

“President Mike and guest Reverend Lauretta Wilson then presented each finalist with a certificate and book token.”