Congratulations to Year 13 student Amelie Lewis, who received a 'Highly Commended' award for her story submission for 'The Sargeson Prize', New Zealand's biggest short story competition.

 

Amelie won her award in the Secondary Schools division for her short story titled ‘The Camellias’, and was one of only eleven other writers to receive this recognition.

 

Remarkably, Amelie only entered after her brother sent her some information about the prize and encouraged her to enter, so she was thrilled and surprised to come away with an award.

 

This year’s Chief Judge, multiple award-winning author Elizabeth Knox, said, “As a whole category, the 16-to 18-year-old offerings delighted me with their ambition, breadth and originality. I was often warmed by their openhearted thinking about the world, spending time with young characters watching things closely, and figuring out how to feel, what to think, and how to participate in the life around them.”

 

Well done, Amelie, on this outstanding national achievement.