A talented schoolgirl from Stanmore is celebrating after winning a prestigious award for her writing.
Rebecca Eapen, who attends North London Collegiate School, has been named the winner of the junior category of the 2023/24 Rotary Young Writer competition.
The result was announced in August after Rebecca submitted her short story, The Right Choice, to the contest.
Each year, Rotary sets a theme for entrants to base their stories on, with judges agreeing that Rebecca’s story perfectly captured this year’s theme of ‘rebuilding’.
Rebecca was just 10 years old when she wrote her winning entry, which follows a dog who is the loyal companion of a soldier.
Amidst a chaotic war scene filled with explosions and destruction, the dog witnesses the tragic death of his partner, leaving him heartbroken and grieving.
The final was judged by Charlotte Vaughan, manager at Kenilworth Book Shop, and prize-winning poet Chris Campbell, both of whom were impressed by the maturity and depth of Rebecca’s writing.
No Rotary clubs in the Stanmore area hosted a Young Writer Competition in 2024, so West Fife in Scotland were pleased to allow Rebecca’s talent to be recognised.
Robert North, from Rotary West Fife, said: “We’re very proud to have sponsored Rebecca’s journey at the Rotary Young Writer competition 2023/24.
“She’s an incredibly talented young person and well deserving of her win in the Junior category. We can’t wait to read what she writes next.”
The Young Writer competition aims to give young people across the country the opportunity to express themselves creatively.
Rotary aims to recognise young people’s hard work through initiatives such as the Rotary Young Citizen Awards.
Find out more about Rotary’s competitions and programmes at their website.
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