Secondary school students met some of their favourite national heroes at the Queen’s Park Oval, Port of Spain, at an event celebrating the winners of the inaugural Wired868 Write Start essay writing competition,
The meeting was facilitated by bmobile and took place at the company's corporate box. In attendance were bmobile endorsees international cricket legend Brian Lara and Olympic gold medallist and national javelin athlete Keshorn Walcott. Both sporting heroes were mentioned by two of the shortlisted winners in their essay, said a media release.
Shara Balkaran of Parvati Girls’ Hindu College, SS Erin Road, Debe, used the platform to highlight that girls love and play cricket as much as boys do.
Amaiyah Joseph of Holy Name Convent, Port of Spain, recalled the triumph of Walcott’s Olympic gold and her encounter with the star athlete as they crossed paths at Piarco airport, the release said.
Both athletes joined the Minister of Education, Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly; writer Lisa Allen-Agostini, Wired868 managing director Lasana Liburd, and US-based businessman Sean Powder, who contributed the cash prizes, at a recent celebration for the students.
[caption id="attachment_936344" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Amaiyah Joseph looks on in awe as her sporting hereo Olympic gold medalist Keshorn Walcott autographs a national T-shirt for her.[/caption]
Balkaran’s fictional piece on Lara won the category 11-15 top prize and a special bmobile prize, and was also the most shared in her category with over 4,200 shares.
“My sister inspired me to write this story – she loved writing, and I wanted to be as good as her. And of course, Brian Lara is one of my cricket inspirations as well. I love him, and I love cricket, so I was very inspired to write this story and share it with everyone,” Balkaran said in the release.
Balkaran plans to continue writing and hopes to have a career in the field ahead of her. She received her prize from the cricket legend himself.
Joseph re-enacted her sighting of gold medallist Keshorn Walcott at the airport, where she could not contain her excitement at meeting and greeting him.
“I briefly met him around 2013. We were on the same flight and I remember telling my mom, ‘Mommy, look the man!’ which I just got to re-enact for him!
"I didn’t get a photo at that time but I wrote the story based on that short meeting with him,” Joseph said in the release.
Joseph, who is passionate about the creative arts, said, “I always read at lunchtime during school and also enjoy writing stories too.”
Many of her stories are based on cartoons she also enjoys watching, and she also dabbles in drawing anime. Her mother, Cassandra, credits Mrs Blanc-Peters of Newtown Girls' RC School, who first drew attention to Joseph’s writing talents.
“When I took a look at the stories, I realised, 'Wow, these are good!'”
She was also impressed that many entrants wrote about national heroes and mentors not traditionally highlighted in the media.
“We need more positive mentors in society and to honour them
