Leena, a Year 12 student and talented young poet, has been named runner-up in her category of the Orwell Youth Prize for her poem ‘Fishing for Stars’.
The Orwell Youth Prize is a prestigious writing competition that honours young writers who address important societal issues. Named for the renowned author George Orwell, this prize encourages creativity and critical thinking among young people aged 12-18. It supports the next generation of socially engaged young writers and thinkers from across the UK, writing on topics such as social justice, equality, and freedom of speech. This year’s competition topic was ‘Home’.
Leena’s dedication and passion for poetry earned her an invitation to the Orwell Youth Prize awards ceremony at UCL, where she performed her poem to a room of over 50 people. Leena took part in a writing workshop with poet John Bernard and other shortlisted entrants, and met Richard Blair, Orwell’s son. Only the top 5% of entrants were invited to this shortlisted event, which indicates not only its prestige but also further confirms Leena’s undeniable breadth of poetic skill and nuance.
Leena’s journey to the Orwell Youth Prize awards ceremony at UCL is a celebration of her talent, hard work, and dedication. Her accomplishment serves as an inspiration to her fellow students, and her success not only reflects her talent but also embodies the core values of our school – curiosity, ambition, and generosity. Moreover, Miss Lloyd deserves our gratitude for establishing the Poet Laureates’ Programme this year, as this encouraged Leena in her confidence as a writer and ultimately led her to enter the competition. Congratulations Leena on this remarkable achievement.
