Congratulations to Keya in Year 7 whose written submission, New Hope, has been highly commended by author Nicola Morgan in an anti-viral creative writing competition. The entry criteria for her age group (11-14), required taking an optimistic view of the coronavirus situation, and exploring how we might live differently and better and can learn from this experience, using imagination, lateral thinking, insight and empathy.

Nicola Morgan commented that Keya’s entry was an:

Exceptionally mature piece of discursive writing; excellent vocabulary and sentence structure.

Listen to Keya, reading ‘New Hope’…

New Hope

I think the real pandemic started before the “pandemic”. We did not know where the boundaries were. We got carried away. We pumped the skies with toxic chemicals, until it was almost impossible to see the stars. It was like the clouds had morphed into one destructive demon, menacingly chuckling at us, spitting down noxious acid rain; a world driven by financial power and hierarchy, mixed with poverty and selfishness. The pandemic has cast a realisation that we are all equal during this difficult time. Individually, we can all be remarkable human beings, but more importantly, we can fight it as one. This pandemic can be viewed as a beneficial and valuable event. It has reminded us to reach out to loved ones and help where we can until we learn to appreciate this wondrous world.

The pandemic has made us understand the difference between wants and needs, realising loved ones you never valued until they were gone. Some may interpret the virus as an evil curse that is a punishment wanting to wipe out half the population, to shutdown businesses and bring stress to people. However, others see this as a chance to adapt to the challenge and make the most of humanity, even if that is through screens. Skies have been growing thicker with smog and a fish’s diet consists mostly of plastic. Nature is screaming for a break. Now, you may never feel this lucky to be alive, to be able to walk around freely. Perhaps this is a chance for the world to breathe again; to admire the scorching sun relaxing in the topaz sky and listen to the sweet symphonies of songbirds; to gaze at the white, wispy clouds drifting elegantly across the vivid blue blanket up above. The surroundings are already gleaming again with lush carpets of grass and succulent fruit. My point can be proven already. We have witnessed a glimmer of beauty appear, as skylines we have not seen in decades are revealed directly to us. We, as human beings, are now starting to cherish and realise the exquisite world we live in.

I do not think there will be a “normal” like before, but there will be a “new normal”. Whether that is adjusting to physical rules and social distancing, or the way we act towards each other. Whether we know them or not, I think we are finally now motivated to “reset” and be the best, neighbourly humans possible, to care for our planet more. Unfortunately, people that could not fight for longer and have sadly passed away are not coming back; however, it takes this loss of a life to notice the value and importance someone played. I am hopeful and optimistic about this disease and I feel the outcome will benefit humanity hugely. We have all learnt about the science and ourselves, and with love, care, and a sense of hope, we can start a new journey together in unison.

A beautifully written text, well done Keya! A full list of winners can be found here.