Cathy Cassidy

Cool Character Competition - the results!!!!

As ever, it was seriously tough to judge the entries for this comp… the standard was very high and there were more entries than ever to read through. However, here are my final choices… well done to all the winners!

STORY WINNERS…

I chose four fantastic winners in the story section, every one unique, clever and creative. The winners are:
Karma by Emily King, age 12;
Jimmy by Jimmy Cole, age 14;
Jack by Nin Eld, age 15;
And Isabel by Julia Kennific, age 11. Read extracts from the winning entries below….

Karma by Emily King, age 12

Karma. How can I sum her up? Is it possible to sum up the girl who has everything? Karma: the star student in every subject. Karma: everybody’s best friend. Karma: so rich she’s never even heard of second-hand. That’s what everyone else sees, the outside shell, just the first layer of a girl who is so much more than that.

I see Karma the bully.

And what about me? What do people make of ME, I wonder? Not a lot, I’m guessing, from all of the things I know Karma’s told them. But then, no one around here knows a lot about me. I keep myself to myself, and that keeps a hood over my secrets, which is just how I like it.

There are other ways to hide the way you’re feeling inside. Acting confident is one of them, and I think it’s what Karma uses for sure. Maybe it’s time to knock her confidence, to make her see that picking on other people isn’t the way about fixing her own troubles? I’m sure I could arrange something.

It’s lunch time, and I’m sitting alone on the crumbling brick wall near the front of the school, not far from where Karma and her group of friends hang out. They’re coming.

I fix my eyes on Karma, concentrate. She suddenly stands still, frozen, her face whitens and her eyes glaze over.

“Hey, Karma, what’s up?” her friends ask, jostling each other to be the nearest to her. She gives them an empty stare, and walks over to a tree stump where she sits alone. She looks lost, afraid, bullied. This is what happens when someone’s shell is removed. I should know; Karma’s been scraping away at my shell since I arrived here two years ago. Now it’s her turn, and I’m not even sorry.

Karma of all people should know that what goes around comes around…

Jimmy by Jimmy Cole, age 14 (UK)

Jimmy, 17
Pure teenager, way too much energy, crazy, carefree.
Likes: Music, friends, his reputation as it is.
Hates: Populars, snobs, geeks.
Hobbies: Playing drums, skateboarding, being a wacko.
You could say it was weird seeing your own stats in a newspaper.
Where did it all start? My friends and I thought, ‘Stuff it…. let’s make a band, aim for a few school concerts.’ We didn’t realise our CD would go WHOOOOSSSHHH into the charts…

Just reading this biography of myself made me feel as if I was a made up character, complete fiction or something.
I guess from now on I am…

Jack by Nin Eld, age 15, Leicester, UK

He was an interesting person, to watch at least. The fact of the matter was that I didn’t really know him at all, but I’d been suspicious for weeks…

We went up some rickety stairs, through a few doors, and onto the rooftop. Then Jack’s rough, warm fingers were gone from mine. Jack, I heard in my mind. As I thought the word, it was spelled out in front of me… in flames.

“Whaaa?” I stuttered.

I want to tell you, nobody’s ever trusted me like you… His words were in my mind again. I watched the fire seep into his outstretched hands. I’m not entirely human…

I heard a snapping noise, like an umbrella opening, only louder.

Long, red wings spread from his back, scale covered, about nineteen feet across.

“Woah.”

He smiled. Looking… hopeful? Did he seriously doubt that I would accept him? Even if he was part… whatever he was, dragon, by the looks of things. He’s not a dragon, he’s not a freak. The fire – and being able to fly – is pretty cool in my book.

He’s still Jack.

I smiled cheekily. “You don’t have a tail too, do you?”

Isabel by Julia Kennific, age 11, Canada

When I was little, every night, my dad would come in and sit beside me. He would stroke my hair, and tell me how proud he was of me. He would tell me what a gift I was to him; how talented and beautiful and intelligent I was. He would say I was his wild girl, his special girl, his determined, gorgeous daughter. He would kiss me, and say those three words I cherished more than anything in the world.

I love you.

And I was stupid enough to believe him…

STORY RUNNERS-UP…

I chose six runners-up in the story section, though I’d have liked to choose about a hundred more… the standard here was VERY high. Read extracts from the runners-up stories below….

Tasha by Samantha, age 15, Singapore

I settle myself in on a seat, perching myself on the edge of it because like me, the seat is absolutely wet. I look into the misty distance for any sign of the familiar orange bus trundling along the street. That’s when I see her.

I stare, because it is hard not to. She is walking, no, running… make that dancing in the rain. I watch her twirl around, do a little hop, and skip through the drizzle and the fog. She has blonde hair, twisted into some kind of crown – the rest of it falls down her back in gentle curls, now heavy and damp from the rain. I squint to make out what is twisted in that crown of hair and I see a lone white flower with a yellow middle and I struggle to remember the name of that species of flower. Frangipani…

Bracken by Emma Nolan, age 13, Ireland

I’ve changed so much its unreal. I’ve learnt that you need your friends no matter what. And you should always know there’s a story behind everything and there’s always reason enough… for a friend, a gorgeous boy standing in front of you with a grin… and for an apology. Never forget that…

Lucifer by Alex Smith, age 14, UK

He had very delicate features for a boy. His hair seemed black, but when the sun shone, you could tell it was a very dark brown (and the sun always seemed to shine when Luc was around.) What caught my interest about him the most was his eyes; when you look beyond the fringe that covers them that is. At first they seem black; devoid of emotion. But if you look really carefully you can tell that they are a deep, deep blue.

I seem to remember thinking that I wanted to see what was beyond the frozen exterior, see who he really was. Which is quite ironic, since the devil is meant to live in the fiery pits of hell… so it’s bound to be warm in there. To tell you the truth, though… Luc was anything but the devil.

Gem by Amber Jones, age 12, Burnley, UK

“Gemma, this is a new start in life for you. Don’t mess it up!” Mrs Syke said as I left.

Maybe I would, maybe I wouldn’t. One thing was for sure, in my next lesson, I would sit next to the window. That way, dreaming is only a piece of glass away…

Nadia by Eilidh Avison, age 12, Dundee

Nadia is moving away. I can’t say I blame her. I wouldn’t want to stay in a place with such horrific memories. At first I felt betrayed, but I understand that it was her choice and I can’t stand in the way.

If there is one thing I have learned from all this it is never give up. Life will try it’s hardest to destroy all of your hopes and dreams and throw you off course. There will be love, loss, true happiness and fear. The world will spin no matter what. So you must be strong and keep running or life will leave you behind. Keep running and you’ll find a way to make it through.

Because there is always light on the other side.

Maroon by Chan Yun Summer, Singapore

After my older sister, Maroon, died, everything was quiet and still, as if time has stopped. I know it’s all my fault, because I dared us to eat a bowl of yucky dried mushrooms at Ayre’s, and we had to dash across the road as it was on the other side. I managed to get to the pavement, but Maroon lagged behind and pulled silly faces and a car… a car hit her. Just like that.

POETRY WINNERS….

There are four amazing winners in the poetry section:

Ana (name & address supplied);
Rainbow Eyes by Emma Travis, age 13;
Josie by Imogen Chappell, age 11;
And Ocean by Sama, age 12. Here they are…..

Ana (name x%x address supplied)%

You don’t want to know her,
The girl who is always behind me,
The girl who walks right beside me,
Who whispers in my ear
Things the world can’t hear.
Perfection…
Just say you’re not hungry.
She’s the bad influence
You don’t want to know.
She follows me everywhere,
But when you see me
She disappears.
Her name is ana
And she’s not going away…

Rainbow Eyes by Emma Travis, age 13

Scarlet, saffron, burnt sienna
Ivory and olive green
Emerald and pink magenta
Cobalt, chocolate, aquamarine.

Beautiful and understanding
Straight and true, they tell no lies
Ever laughing, ever dancing
Ever changing rainbow eyes.

Lavender and red geranium
Twinkling like silver stars
Cinnabar, cyan, cornflower, cadmium
Cover up the lasting scars.

Crimson, ochre, ultraviolet
Indigo and bright turquoise
All obscure the lingering sadness
Hidden in those rainbow eyes.

Though they seem sincere and open
Guiding, worry free and wise
The tragic truth is bottled up
Concealed behind your fading eyes.

And I know what’s going to happen
Couldn’t stop it if I tried
Danielle, your hope has perished
Now, my friend, I say goodbye.

Josie by Imogen Chappell, age 11, UK

My name is Josie,
But names don’t matter.
My age is twelve,
But years don’t matter.
I cry every night,
But tears don’t matter.
I have cuts on my arms,
But cuts don’t matter.
My name is Josie -
But I don’t matter.

Ocean by Sama, age 12, Bangladesh

I saw her once
I saw her twice,
Lying by the tide
Though she had died.

So there she was
Lying peacefully,
As if she had all
The pleasures of the world.

Her eyes were of coral made
Her skin like a pink rose,
Her lips were red as blood
As if the ‘Sea Queen’
herself rose.
I asked her name
She replied, “Ocean.”

She held her hands towards the sea,
And flowed like the wave,
In her blue gown
Far and away.

Then I woke.
It all was a dream…
Though I thought she was there,
Lying by the sea.

POETRY RUNNERS UP…

I chose five fab runners-up… read their wonderful entries below.

Silent Girl by Daisy Cross, age 12, Cirencester, UK

You are just a memory,
A girl with a silent face,
Lost in time forever,
Caught in death’s sweet embrace.

A girl in heavy petticoats,
And a face that’s set in stone,
You always seem so lonely,
So solemn, so alone.

Were you never cherished?
Were you never kissed?
When you slept no more to wake,
Were you dearly missed?

Were you ever happy?
Were you always sad?
Were there ever good times?
To chase away the bad?

You are just a photograph,
A girl with a silent face,
Lost in time forever,
In your loved ones’ embrace.

Darren by Emma Perry, age 12, Taunton, UK

I saw him today,
Black tousled hair,
Icy blue eyes,
I remembered his jokes,
The way he smiled,
The way he kissed,
And the way he died.
I remember his hopes,
His dreams, his goals,
The way he told stories.
I remember his laugh…
And I wish he was here.
I wish he would laugh with me again,
Tell me his secrets.
I remember the noise he made
As the car hit him,
And the noise I made, as well.
I remember gasping, then the panic.
I remember the look
On the doctor’s face.
Darren, I’ll always love you,
And wait until we meet again.
I can’t keep the tears from my eyes.
Your life, your endless energy…
Gone forever.
Goodbye, Darren, goodbye!

Him by Olivia, age 10

I have my first love
Him
Nobody understands my feelings for
Him
Never in my life have I felt this way about
Him
He could never notice me
Even if I wave my hand in front of his face
BLINDED
Him
It’s not fair.
No one else feels this way about
Him.
Will this feeling ever leave?
I wonder. I wonder…

Elizabeth by Amelia Slaughter, age 11

My glasses tilt on the side of my nose,
Long ginger plaits hang over my shoulders
Like pieces of long rope,
A book tucked under my arm.
People shout names at me,
That I don’t want to be called,
Why doesn’t anyone like me?
Why am I always alone?
My self esteem is
Smaller than a newborn mouse.
My dreams are never a reality,
Popularity was never my thing,
Couldn’t I be the one with friends,
A life?
Will my door ever be opened?
Or will I always be,
The stranger in the crowd?

Clover by Beth, age 9

There was a girl, Clover,
Who was never ever bad.
She had a big sister,
And a mum and a dad.

Her favourite colour is purple,
Her favourite colour is blue.
She loves a boy called Jonny,
Hates a boy named Drew.

She has blonde wavy hair,
And a cheeky smile.
She loves to put on make up,
Though it does take a while.

Now if you like her so far,
I’m sorry but you’re tricked.
She impossible, invisible,
She doesn’t actually exist!

HIGHLY COMMENDED….

If you are not one of the winners or runners up in either section, check below to see if your entry was highly commended… these are the entries that grabbed my attention in some way… creative, inventive, clever, cool… well done, all of you! You are all winners to me.

Sonibel Rae; Rachael Halsall; Ellys Bagnall; Jennifer Weldon; Kirsty Reaich; Jessica Smithson; Caroline Bennett; Charlotte Jones; Nadine Hay; Amy Blair; Ruth; Brogan; Amy McCarthy; Georgia; Jess Rozario; Parker; Maille Noonan; Helen; Hannah Cooke; Cherise Amie-Fong; Chloe Wood; Erin Hammerton; Sophie Kimber; Naomi Thompson; Kirsty Jane Parker; Helena; Annabelle hunt; Holly Johnson; Jill; Sophie; Holly Kirkham-Mowbray; Maggie Trayler; Monica Abdo-Tehrani; Amy Harden; Lucy Sherwin; Georgina Rose; Lydia Okoibhole; Philippa Dunn; Frankie Jane Jasper; Orla Kinsella; Alex Leeming; Romany Lowe; Kirsty Dunbar; Ellie Thompson; Danyelle Hodds; Destiny; Hannah Coyle; Hannah Agbeni; Ekta Gupta; Charlotte Edwards Roscamp; Savannah; Lauren; Kelsey Thompson; Jessica Hallam; Lilli Sher; Faye Johnson; Rachel Clifton; Georgie; Grace Rose Shepherd; Miska; Caitlin; Hollier Ormsby; Maddy Ross; Zoe Darby; Rosie; Elsa Leslie; Chloe Hynes; Lucy Drew; Thorrun Govind; Chaz Morris; Sarah Buggy; Abby Nesarasa; Emily; Fleurune; Eliza Newman; Courtney Furzer; Katie Johnson; Chloe; Hannah Shaw; Kayleigh Cummings; Chloe Shaw; Hayley Appleby; Laura Watkins; Bryony Dixon; Jane Herz; Shannon McKee; Ruth McQueeny; Hayley Jones; Jameela; Kiyanaat Ali; Eu; Ruva; Mollie Cockell; Brynnagh Mulherin; Olivia; Amelia; Amber Reanne Jones; Emma Youngs; Amy Richmond; Laura; Ashleigh Ryder; Jess; Stephanie Collins; Jaelle; Freya Donnelly; Caoimhe; Bella Carnell; Sophia Merenda; Chloe Ternent; Scarlett; Danielle; Shannon Crichton; Grace Slideshow; April Phillips; Sam; Mollie Kerslake; Rachel Hodginson; Lowri Edwards; Rahma; Carla Dobronauteanu; Emily Dawes; Emma Duffy; Hope Johnston; Justine Stafford; Laura McKitterick; Caity; Shannon Burke; Eimear OShea; Polly Wells; Jessica Farr; Emily Ritcheson; Vicky Maycock; Ella Street; Emily Sharman; Jess H; Maxine Beimel; Maddie Henri-Joy; Amy Rice; Jessica McDonagh; Gemma; Tess; Chloe Hughes; Shannon Sallis; Annabelle Sandwith; Louise; Jade; Hazel; Pip; Mehajabeen; Itohan Giwa-Osagie; Joanna; Lucy; Casper Dream; Irene Brockie; Courtney Feeney; Maddison Moynihan; Sophia Papadopoulis; Sam Pulling; Charlotte Caves; Shanice Bowrin; Cody O’Brien; Michelle Yates; Aniqa Choudhury; Ellie Robson; Sian Dudley; Becca Amos; Becky; Rachel Hardy; Rebecca Wilson; Ellie Rogers; Jennie Bryans; Jodie Marie Grayston; Briony; Anna; Lauren Clitheroe; Evie Knowles; Rebecca Robinson; Bethany Tomlin; Kaitie Bloor; Jessica Johnson; Charlotte Sedgwick; Amy West; Charlotte Reeve; Ashley Viljoen; Philippa Spottiswoode; Megan; Kiera; Mollie; Imani Erriu; Amy Sanderson; Kathryn Abraham; Indiah; Maegan Gill; Hapsa; Emily Hopkinson; Gina Loughrey; Ria Fern Easthan; Libby Nield; Ashleigh; Olivia; Kimberley Maria Cunningahm; Lauren Gray; Stephanie Addenbrooke; Sophie Slazenger; Naomi Walder; Amy Senior; Molly Green; Amy O’Malia; Eloise Gendry-Hearn; Ruth Warhurst; Katie George; Emma Stray; Lily Darwood; Louise Teare; Catherine Messenger; Natasha Parsons; Olivia Tuck; Katy Haigh; Paige Gallagher; Amber; Jessica Woodhouse; Esther; Victoria Roberts; Aliyah Pettitt; Esther Rathbone; Aimee Carroll; Samantha Conlan; Hannah Shaw; Christy Gigi Lowe; Bella; E E V; Beth; Jade Wilkinson; Chelsie foster; Lizzie Whitehead; Lucy Morgan; Ron Collins; Laura Toothill; Patricia Gregory; Victoria Froggett; Natasha; Stefanie Stokes; Claudia Williams; Eilidh McIntosh; Ana Allen; Frances; Gemma Parry; Sarah Aldridge; Amarina Nhayes; Georgia; Rosie; Jessie; Rebecca Lally; Laura; Alicia Shearsby.

Phew!!! Well done, all of you.