Student entries for the writing competition to launch The Dark Quest of Countess X – A Call to the World’s Youth, flowed in from all over the country, with more than thirty arriving on the last day. They included well-researched arguments, passionate poetry, direct appeals to the perpetrators of slavery and much, much more. The winners, however, stood out for their heart-felt, sincere and well-written responses to the questions posed on the website.
The winner of the First Prize is Cameron Murray of Year 9, Wellington College for a strongly-worded plea for us to reclaim our humanity and end the atrocity of slavery. Cameron wins a selection of books and a generous supply of Whittaker’s chocolate.
Second Prize winner is Evie Haughton, Year 8, Pauatahanui School, north of Wellington, who aims to rouse the world against slavery with her writing. Evie wins the Body Shop gift, a book and her share of Whittaker’s chocolate.
Third prize winner is Sophie Ineson, Year 8, Southland Girls’ High School who sees the murals showing a world without borders where all can be made aware of slavery. A book and some Whittaker’s chocolate are on their way to Sophie.
Arrowtown School Year 8 students lucky enough to have Mrs. Scoles for their teacher produced thirteen creative entries revealing the depth of their class debate on slavery. This won them a Special Commendation prize, including some Whittaker’s chocolate for their teacher.