IN the midst of last weekend's Mount Beauty Writers Festival, four students from the local primary and secondary schools were celebrated as the winners and runners-up of the Mount Beauty Youth Writing Competition 2024.
The categories covered both ages 10 to 13 and 14 to 18 students and the winners received a certificate and a cheque for their great work.
Florence Roberts was the winner of the 10 to 13 category, who wrote a story about a girl who moves schools and overcomes bullying.
"I quite like writing," Florence said.
"Though it took me quite a while to get it finished."
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The runner up place was awarded to Sunni Watts who wrote a story inspired by her father and their joint love of professional wrestling.
"I feel very proud," Sunni said.
"I definitely know I couldn't have done it without the support from my teacher and my family.
"I'll definitely keep writing in the future."
Students in the Grade 4/5 class of the Mount Beauty Primary School all focused on the upcoming writers festival during the previous term.
All the students in the class wrote a story.
Rune France won first place in the 14 to 18 category with his piece which portrayed a dialogue between a recently passed soul and the character of Death.
"I wasn't expecting it to go this far, but I'm really happy," Rune said.
"I reckon I'll carry on with my writing in the future."
The 14-18 runner up prize was awarded to Chalisa Borell, who wrote about a spy thriller jewel heist.
"I worked on the story for about a month or so," Chalisa said.
"I kept on making different versions before I found the right one.
"I really like stories: in the future I might make scripts or storylines for animated movies and shows."
The students were celebrated by over a hundred people attending the Writers Festival interviews, as well as supportive friends and family.
