Sixteen aspiring change-makers, aged 9-14, have had their persuasive essays shortlisted to win an inspiring competition hosted by the stage musical Wicked, as part of its Wicked Active Learning cultural learning programme, and the National Literacy Trust. Schools across Yorkshire are well-represented with shortlisted entries from change makers in Bradford and Halifax through to the final sixteen.
The overall winners of the Wicked Writers: Be The Change competition will be awarded a class trip to see Wicked in London, as well as an in-person workshop with award-winning author of the High-Rise Mystery series and The Good Turn, Sharna Jackson.
Taking inspiration from the award-winning musical’s protagonist, ‘Elphaba’, students entered the competition by writing about a cause important to them, raising awareness and support to fight social injustice. From climate change to clean water, food banks to football, children up and down the UK have made their voices heard about the things they would like to change for the better in our society.
The shortlisted entries in Yorkshire are: Lucy Kettlewell, age 10, from Burley and Woodhead Church of England Primary School in Bradford, who wrote about women’s rights, sexism and discrimination, and Hannah Firth, 13, from Trinity Academy in Halifax, who focused on the treatment and attitude towards refugees coming to the UK, and the government’s Stop the Boats bill.
Both entries made good use of some fantastic writing techniques to demonstrate their passion for change, speaking directly to the judges, and using emotive language, repetition, and alliteration to make their point. The young writers also illustrated their arguments with informative statistics around their chosen subjects, as well as encouraging the judges to question their own beliefs, challenging stereotypes, and the status quo.
Beth Deighton, teacher at Trinity Academy, commented “We entered this competition to demonstrate to students that writing can provide an outlet for personal expression and creativity. It's exciting to show them that their thoughts, emotions, and ideas are valued in a real-world context.”
Responding to the huge variety of issues raised by the competition entrants, Tim Judge, Head of Schools Programmes at the National Literacy Trust, said, “Writing is not just an incredibly important life skill, it’s also a tool that we can use to change the world around us for the better. ‘Be the Change’ has encouraged children and young people across the country to use their writing skills to advocate for a cause they believe in, and it’s clear that everyone who entered has a real passion for inspiring change. We hope that this enthusiasm for writing, and the literacy skills they have learnt, will stay with them not just throughout their school careers, but for the rest of their lives.”
The judging panel, which includes Wicked-star and former Blue Peter presenter Mark Curry; CEO of the National Literacy Trust, Jonathan Douglas; Executive Producer of Wicked in the UK, Michael McCabe; and author Sharna Jackson, will pick winners from each of two age categories who will receive tickets for their entire class to see Wicked at London’s Apollo Victoria Theatre, a writing workshop with Sharna Jackson, and a bundle of books for their school’s library.
“As part of our Wicked Active Learning cultural learning programme, we are proud to provide the platform from which young people can articulate their concerns for the future, and advocate change. To read their impassioned pieces of creative writing about the issues that matter to them - from the inhumane treatment of refugees to the plastics polluting our oceans - has been both deeply affecting and profoundly moving." says Michael McCabe, Executive Producer of Wicked.
“Covering issues from deafness to deforestation, water to welfare, the 2023 Wicked Writers: Be the Change competition entries are powerful, punchy, and persuasive. The writers have not only used emotive language to pull you in, but they have also backed their words with facts, and incredibly strong call to actions. Well done to all the writers – keep fighting for your causes!” adds best-selling children’s writer Sharna Jackson.
Special guest judge Mark Curry, currently playing ‘The Wizard’ in Wicked in the West End, concludes: “Reading through the shortlist of entries, it is very evident that these talented young writers have so much knowledge and passion about world issues…it’s a total pleasure to read these pieces and I’m learning a lot!”
Click here for more information about Wicked and to book tickets.
