BWF to host another writing contest for youth

The Daily Herald writes that Beyond Writing Foundation (BWF) has announced that it is calling on all children ages 8 through 14 in St. Maarten, Anguilla, Saba and St. Eustatius to participate in its 2015 writing competition. The one held in 2013 was deemed a success, with five winning poets, four of them being featured in the book “Freedom Salsa.” Poems by Alipa Tatem, Alejandro Gouin, Jackson Leone and Jenise Forbes “are being read by thousands of children right now in the St. Maarten primary schools and adults who have bought the book,” BWF said.

This year BWF has announced three themes for the competition, as well as additional means of expressing the works. Applications can be submitted in the form of poems, letters (maximum length one A-4 paper), and artwork (no larger than 30x30x30cm). The latter was made for “our youngsters who cannot express themselves with writing, or can better express themselves with using their hands.”

For the theme “Happiness,” participants need to express what makes them happy and why;

for “A better world,” describe the world they would like to live in from a positive perspective, and express what would enlighten their world;

for “Magical,” describe a magical event that occurred to them or their siblings and how they felt about that experience.

Each piece should be accompanied by the participant’s full name, age, school’s name, phone number and email address. Entries must be submitted by Friday, April 10 via email address to beyondwriting@ hotmail.com or by mail at P.O. Box 734, Philipsburg.

A panel of judges will assess the entries in April and announce three winners per category. The winners will be notified through email and their names published in the local newspapers. Pieces will be exhibited at the Philipsburg Jubilee Library. BWF also said that schools can receive guidance by means of a writing workshop, which can be requested through the same email address. For more information contact Loekie Morales at 527-1223.