WADADLI YOUTH PEN PRIZE

Overall winner of the Wadadli Pen Challenge, Lucia Murray (Photo by Charminae George)

The winners of the 2023 Wadadli Pen Prize were announced at the inaugural Literary Fête at Best of Books. The first category awarded writers whose literary pieces showed a wealth of potential. Neola Noronha, aged 11, Razonique Looby, aged 17, and Andrecia Lewis were presented with the Encouragement Award.

Next were writers who penned their way to the shortlist. The first was Giselle Clarke who participated in the 12 and younger category. Then, Anaya Belle and Marley Willey in the 13-17 category. From the 18-plus category were Darlene Beazer-Parker, Linita Roxann Simon and Joseph Elton Williams.

The prize for the 12 and younger category was captured by two writers. The first was Anushree Satpute, aged 12, with the story ‘What makes the Caribbean?’, and the second was Zende Hazelwood with the poem, ‘I’m an Island Boy’. The names of both winners join the list of previous winners on the Zuri Holder Memorial Plaque.

Chioma Ochasi, aged 16, with her story ‘Caribbean Treasure’, won the 13-17 age category. Totalling 28 entries, the St Andrews Primary School won the prize for the most submissions by a school.

The adult category winner was Lucia Murray with her story entitled, ‘The Ol’higue does not Dream of Baby’s Blood’. She also was the overall competition winner, having her name recorded on the Alstyne Allen Challenge Memorial Plaque. Previously, Murray placed second in the 18-35 age category in the 2017 Wadadli Pen Challenge.

Read the entries here.