“[…] With her metallic chains clinking against her bulging, scaly skin, Mama Dlo suddenly skidded into the heart of the crowd. Panic sent everyone hurtling in different directions, leaving the venue nearly deserted. “Kes and his stunned band stood rooted to the spot; it was up to me. I seized …
Read More »Write Start (11-15): Shara Balkaran quit cricket that day, but Brian Lara had other ideas…
“[…] ‘Why are you here?’ asked one of the boys. ‘Girls cannot play cricket,’ said another jokingly. “Their comments were followed by an eruption of laughter from the other boys. Demotivated and embarrassed, I darted from there, as fast as a lightning bolt. I sat at the end of the …
Read More »Write Start (11-15): Can Gabriella Mohammed make it as a writer? Lisa Allen-Agostini offers some advice
“[…] My whole dream was to be a writer and my parents—well, more specifically my dad—always crushed it. My dad wanted me to become a doctor, something ‘useful’. “However I wanted to be a writer. The feeling I felt as I brought a tree or a meadow to life. I …
Read More »Write Start (11-15): J’Leise Sealey gets a golden lesson from Olympic star, Keshorn Walcott
“[…] The javelin felt weighted in my arms, the back of the iron spear barely touching the tiny blades of grass that held my shifting feet. The field never seemed to end; it seemed longer as beads of sweat drizzled down my face. “[…] The students before me that had …
Read More »Write Start (11-15): Kassidy Gaulteau has a chance meeting with Earl Lovelace…and then loses him
“[…] We were forced to take shelter, for want of an umbrella, and it was so we found ourselves inside Trincity Mall. We decided to browse while we outwaited the rain. “It was then I noticed a man behind a little table, the sign behind him reading ‘Earl Lovelace’, in …
Read More »Write Start (11-15): Kristen Smith battles her nerves, as she prepares to face Machel Montano
“[…] ‘I would now like to invite Machel Montano to the stage…’ “The din increased, ensuring I would be incapable of hearing properly for the rest of the night. Almost splitting my face in half, a beaming grin enveloped my visage as my hero stepped into view… Machel Montano…” Eleven-year-old …
Read More »Write Start (11-15): Amayiah Joseph bets on Keshorn Walcott, but it won’t be easy to collect
“[…] ‘Trinidad and Tobago will perform a Javelin throw at 2pm!’ the television interjected. “‘Jav- what? That is not a European ting? We does do that?’ Mom stormed off to a pot of spicy aroma of delectable, seasoned meat…” Twelve-year-old Holy Name Convent (Port of Spain) form one student Amayiah …
Read More »Write Start (11-15): Surayya Carrington has a colourful encounter with Shalini Seereeram
“[…] I stopped dead in my tracks and stared at the person sitting on the bus bench. My body quivered and my heart throbbed. Something inside urged me to get closer to them. “Drawn closer, it felt like I was wading through knee-deep water. My throat ached and my mouth …
Read More »Write Start (11-15): Nishka Basdeo swings for the hills, as she tries to impress Sunil Narine
“[…] My heavy breathing continued. It increased with every passing second. As I grasped the bat in my hand I gazed at the crowd surrounding me. “The sight of opposing players poised in their game positions conjured feelings I did not know existed. But nothing compared to the sight of …
Read More »Write Start (11-15): Ranissa Lochan meets Wendy Fitzwilliam on an unforgettable Carnival day
“[…] Miss Wendy Fitzwilliam was crowned Miss Universe in the year 1998 and has truly been a strong motivation seeing that she, a young woman from a small twin island in the Caribbean conquered the world. “Her achievement has inspired me to think big and set unlimited goals for myself …
Read More »Write Start (11-15): Jalisa Charles and Destra surprise each other, in our first shortlisted essay
“[…] Trembling like a leaf, I shakily held out the wallet before her. ‘Um- I- f-found your w-wallet Miss Garcia,’ I stuttered. “A puzzled look came across her face as she slowly took the purse. My face was turning as red as a tomato as paparazzi witnessed the entire scene…” …
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