The moment of the long-awaited Jamaica Cultural Development Commission’s Creative Writing Awards Ceremony and Exhibition Opening, at the Knutsford Court Hotel, finally arrived on Nov 2, 2011, at 5:30 p.m. We awardees seated in front of the audience anxiously scanned the list for our names in the various categories, and congratulated each other on our accomplishments. I was happy to see that I had been awarded a bronze medal for Delroy and the Marog Princess (sequel to Delroy in the Marog Kingdom). About it the judges—Ms. Cheryl Brown, Dr. Lorna Down and Dr. Kimberly Robinson Walcott—said,
This is a creative and imaginative story with echoes of other myths and legends. It appears too to be a Part 2 to an earlier tale with significant details missing. The fantasy world that is created has a consistency of details allows the reader to willingly suspend disbelief. The writer clearly has a talent for creating memorable characters, with distinguishing features; the plot is fast-paced and holds the reader's attention. Many adolescents should find this tale engaging.
The ceremony started promptly at 6:00 p.m. but we had to wait a little longer to find out if we had won any of the Class or Overall Awards. In the meantime we were entertained by the Vaz Prep Dance Troupe; and readings by the Gold Medal Winners—Stephanie Lloyd, Donna Hall, Fabian Thomas and Seon Lewis.
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| Bronze Medal and Trophy for Best Intermediate Novelist |
Congratulations to Seon Lewis—Best Overall Writer (1st place)—with 2 gold and 1 silver-medal- winning poems; and to Stephanie Lloyd—Outstanding Writer (2nd place) for her gold-medal-winning short story. Congratulations also to Hazel Campbell for having four past students from her writing class, including Stephanie, winning awards at this year’s ceremony.
After the ceremony, the Exhibition of winning entries was launched. It will be on display at Parish Libraries from Nov 8, 2011 to July 23, 2012, after which it will go on a World Tour.
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| Delroy and the Marog Princess in the Exhibition |
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| Andrew Brodber, Speech, Drama and Literary Arts Specialist of JCDC, presents me with a gift basket, courtesy of Yummy Bakery |
3 comments:
Congrats, Helen. I hope Delroy and the Marog Princess gets published soon. I am looking forward to reading it
Perhaps you will read it before it is published!
Helen,
Again, you make me so proud to be your friend and fellow writer!
And, wow! An exhibition of winning entries that will be on display at Parish Libraries from Nov 8, 2011 to July 23, 2012, and then will go on a World Tour! WORLD TOUR!
Being part of your writing process has been a blessing and joy.
Congratulations with much love!
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