2017 National Short Story Competition results flood in

18 September 2017, 12:00AM

Over 650 entries came in on 8 September from Upolu and Savaii schools for the student’s national short story competition for 2017.

Today, the judges’ results of the 2017 National Short Story Competition will be handed in and place getters will be notified over the next few days to attend the 

prize giving at the S.S.A.B. conference room at 11am on Thursday 21st. according to Organising Committee member, Marj Moore. 

The annual competition has been run by the Samoa Observer since 2011 with huge support from sponsors. 

S.S.A.B. who have been with the competition from the very start as a major sponsor while Eveni joined the Samoa Observer and S.S.A.B. 2016.

The idea for the competition came from the Samoa Editor in Chief, Gatoaitele Savea Sano Malifa and grew out of the Newspapers in Education Feature of the Monday edition.

“While the Observer powers the competition, we are fortunate to be aligned with two companies who strongly support youth and schools and see this competition as a way to highlight literacy and the education system,” said Marj. 

The competition has categories for stories in Samoan and English and entries are accepted from Years 6 through to Years 13.

“This year’s number of entries, 650, is probably the most we have ever received and they came in from 40 government, mission and private schools so we are very pleased.

“Because one of the aims of the competition is to get everyone writing, the high numbers are important.

“And amongst those many entries, are brilliant stories from outstanding writers at all levels who we want to encourage and foster.

Marj said that the topic, ‘Climate Change’, drew both fiction and nonfiction accounts.

“Some of the students had done a lot of research which is great and they submitted more of an essay while others wove a story around characters and particular issues. 

“It is a credit to the students, teachers, parents and the many Environmental organizations which have got the message out about this important topic and for the children to play a part in the discussion, of the problems and solutions.

Marj said it should also be noted that this topic is one that many children are directly affected by in their everyday lives and they can write confidently about it.

18 September 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

Upgrade to Premium

Subscribe to
Samoa Observer Online

Enjoy unlimited access to all our articles on any device + free trial to e-Edition. You can cancel anytime.

>