Cathy Cassidy

THE JOURNEY COMP WINNERS

STORY SECTION WINNERS!!!!
With more entries than ever, choosing the winners for this writing comp was really tough. After much consideration, I picked three equal winners in the story section. Well done to Nayha Sharma, age 13, Emma, age 14, and Annabel Platt, age 12. Though we can only print an extract of each story here, these stories were well planned, vivid and beautifully written. Well done! Take a look….

Nayha Sharma, age13

Life

How much is the fare to travel through life? The road sometimes gets bumpy, other times it’s smooth. When you reach a dead-end, you think this is it. Life is a journey.
I lie on my bed, thoughts spinning through my mind. It’s late, but my eyes won’t close. I slowly get up, careful not to make too much noise. I tiptoe towards the open window. The glass is decorated with bird droppings, the pink curtain torn. The window itself is not a pretty sight, but the view outside is cool, calm. A silent road, whispering greenery, the sky, empty as my stomach.
Mum drinks. Dad’s not here for us. I’m the one who has to sweep away pain and look after my sister. Life has its ups and downs, but my life is like the Titanic, sinking fast…
____________

Emma, age 14

The School Run

The journey to and from school is the scariest journey I ever make
They’ll call out names. Freak Girl. Weirdo. Emo Freak. They’ll take my school bag. They took my tie from me once, slashed it with nail scissors and left it hanging by a tree. They thought it was quite hilarious. I had to bite my lips so hard they bled to stop angry, stinging tears leaking from my eyes and down my pale cheeks. I’d tried to speak to people, of course. Teachers, parents… But there is only so much ‘snitching’ you can do. Teachers rarely believe me, so for now I’ll just keep quiet. I’ll let them carry on, try to pretend that it doesn’t hurt, even though with every step I take up to school I feel sick, my legs go weak, and I feel like running all the way home. I’ll keep fighting back the tears that prick my eyes like daggers. And every day will be the same. Like a nightmare that just keeps repeating itself…

Annabel Platt, age 12

Festival

Our van stands out from others, being blue and purple, but then we stand out, too, and that’s how we like it. We’ve got our favourite folk band playing full blast with the windows rolled right down, the wind rushing in, blowing my dreadlocks about.
“Not too long now,” Dad says. I nod and smile and start to daydream.
I can see a huge makeshift city of tents and marquees going on for miles, flags on a hill and mud everywhere. I see people, thousands of them, children with painted girls dressed as elves and fairies…
Dad’s voice awakens me. “Bella, we’re here.”
I look across the valley and my daydreams form in front of me. Glastonbury…

STORY RUNNERS_UP:

There are seven fab runners-up… each of these stories was a near-miss, so well done to Eilidh Avison, Emily King, Bethanie Denyer, Luisa Callander, Sophie Simmonds, Caitlin Hughes & Kathryn. Extracts of their stories are below….

Eilidh Avison, age12

The Journey of a River

People presume that a river’s journey is an easy one. All rivers need to do is get from their source, to the sea. It is a simple matter of flow and erosion.
I’m standing, wondering why the river of my life has brought me here. Did I take a wrong turn somewhere or was I always destined to here now, hiding around the back of the school’s bike shed.
I can hear them, laughing and joking, I know they’re there. And they know I’ll be coming. Very soon…
___________

Emily King, age 13

Running away

I’m running. I’m running. I’m running. I can’t stop, and I don’t know where I’m going. All I know is that I want to get away – away from here, away from my home, my school, my life.
“I’m free!” I yell as loudly as I can, running faster and faster, my footsteps sounding in sync with the own beats of my racing heart. I suddenly feel like laughing, or crying, or both. No one can get me here. If I can just keep running, preferably forever, then no one can ever find me, however hard they try. I’ll run right off the edge of the earth, if that’s what it takes…

Bethanie Denyer, age 14

Stardust

Gliding, cantering through the air with Stardust, we disappear through the forest. Brambles and leaves catch in my chestnut brown hair and spin magically around us. Stardust just gets faster and faster. I melt into her stride. We’re galloping now; Stardust’s back is sweaty beneath me, her sparkling, long, blonde mane warm against my freezing hands and my beating heart…
__________

Luisa Callander, age 12

Journey’s End

I’m scared.
I’m sitting in the middle of our moth-eaten old sofa, with my six-year-old brother Leon squashed into my left side, my five-year-old sister Jolissa squished into my right side and my baby sister Renee in her Moses basket on my lap. I’m like a second mum to them now, and I really don’t care anymore. I reach out for the remote and press play. I’m watching my DVD of Doctor Who – Journey’s End – for the gazillionth time, volume turned down low. I don’t want to disturb the little ones, or Mrs. Next-Door, or Mr. Downstairs. It is half-one in the morning after all.
Mum goes out drinking with her friends most nights, but she’s never been as late as this. I don’t know if she’s ever coming home.
As the episode name comes onto the screen, I wonder if my journey is ever going to end…
__________

Sophie Simmonds, age 12

Teen

I’m not crazy… I’m not! It’s just standing here, leaning against the rails, I feel peaceful. I know! Me, peaceful? After all, how many fifteen year olds do you know who helped a very exclusive rock band wreck a hotel suite? Anyway, after I got home, at 4 in the morning, my parents told me that it was just not good enough.
“Cheris, this is simply what I do not expect from you! Why can’t you stay in and study sometimes?” He had this look on his face like he was saving the world one teenage rebel at a time…

___________

Caitlin Hughes, age 11

Cloud-Gazing

I can see the clouds out of the window of the car, black and forbidding. Grandma taught me about the clouds. She told me that was what kept her going, looking at the clouds every day. Every wisp of cloud was beautiful and so perfectly formed. Other people like star-gazing or looking at sunsets but Grandma liked – no, loved – cloud-gazing. I know she’ll be happy living among them.
I smile, reassured, and right on cue, I see the dark clouds lighten…

Kathryn , age 12

Pearl Glitter

The bus rumbles past acres of green. I sit at the back, beside the old lady snoring lazily, a daydreaming teenager, keeping out of sight.
Dad said she’d meet me, but I don’t think she’ll come. What am I supposed to say to her? All I know is her name. Glitter. Dad says it was ‘cause of her shiny grey eyes, her white-blonde hair. Like mine.
The bus halts at the side of the road. My heart pounds so loud, I swear everyone can hear it. The sun glares down, and a woman appears. I’ve waited for this all my life. And now she’s here beside me. The piece of me that was missing…
____________

POETRY SECTION WINNERS

Again, the standard was really high and it was difficult to choose the winners, but I decided on three equal winners… Hannah Agbeni, Emily Bruce and Zoe Screti, all age 12. Take a look at their fab entries…

Hannah Agbeni, age 12

You & Me

A journey…
Where the wind blows in my hair.
And the moon glows brightly
In the dark sky.

The journey is a scary one
But as long as you hold me tight,
Everything will be OK.

The journey is a romantic one;
You whisper sweet nothings
And love me for who I am.

The journey is
A journey of discovery…
Us.
The journey is unknown,
It can take us anywhere…
As long as we believe.

Emily Bruce, age 12

Life

One foot, then the other
Keep on walking down the lane
Savour all the moments
‘Coz they’ll never be the same
Love and friendship are special
More special than you’ll ever get
Dare to dare and dare to live
Better than to regret
Love and family, war and strife -
This is the journey named ‘life’

Zoe Screti, age 12. W. Midlands

I rise in a golden glow,
Bathing the world in a blinding light.
I turn the sky beautiful colours,
rose, marigold, tangerine.
People wake and see me,
Spreading my rays of warmth,

By lunch, I am high in the sky,
Casting shadows
Warming the faces of young and old
Who carefully peer up at where I sit.

By night, I am gone,
Only slight traces
Of azure and dandelion yellow remaining.
I am cloaked in a cloth of darkness,
Engulfed by the silver moon.

I travel the sky,
Bringing joy,
Warming the world,
Sunshine!

POETRY RUNNERS UP:

There are six fantastic runners up in the poetry section, Vicky, Andie Vesela, Hayley Jones, Francesca Furniss, Hannah Shaw & Laura Maw. Well done everyone!

Vicky, age 13

Night Traveler

I am a night traveler
Travel all through the night
And my bed is a sailing boat
I reach for my bed every night
And take a trip places far away
To see new things and people

I travel past the harbours
Full of anchored boats
I travel past the beaches
With swaying coconut trees

My boat sails every night
And reaches home with morning light
Never did it anchor once
Still traveling every day
Hoping to reach
That unknown destination.

Andie Vesela, age 12 Czech Republic

The Journey Of My Life

I wish I saw you,
For the start,
I wish you hadn’t
captured my heart.
I had a dream,
It didn’t come true,
All I ever wanted,
Was you.
It was a journey,
I cannot explain,
Do you even
Remember my name?
Inside my heart,
You will always have place,
But never more
Will I see your face.

Hayley Jones, age 14

Journey on

Nothing above me but dark night sky
Freckled with shimmering stars
Watching my every move

Nothing in front of me but open road
Winding and twisting
Urging me to walk on

Nothing behind me
But the place I once called home
Softly calling me back
Overpowered by my beating heart

Nothing below me but my own two feet
Walking, pressing on
With minds of their own

Nothing around me but cool soft air
Stroking my face
With soft whispers of comfort

Nothing inside me but the burning desire
To get away from the home I once knew
To be free

Nothing to do now but walk on
To love, lose, learn and regret
I must journey on.

Francesca Furniss, age 13

Lost in a world that I don’t know.
It’s like a different planet.
The many hills
Layered in different shades of green
And peppermint
The sound of the cool breeze
Rustling the trees
With the scent of daisies

Lost in a world I would love.
But I can’t.
I’m trapped, I can’t move.
My foot was stuck between rocks.
Jammed, and I only just got it loose.
Maybe I should be sort of glad.
I’m rid of the group
The bullies, and the teachers.

Lost in a world full of happiness
I can faintly feel
Through the pain of my ankle.
Twisted, I think.
Sat in the grass
The damp raindrops
From the morning
Pressing against my hands.

Lost in a world I would love to call my own
The beautiful sunsets
The landscape.
Now I can hardly feel the pain
I’m relaxed, and happy.
The birds are tweeting
As if to say goodbye.
See you when the sun rises.

Hannah Shaw, age 14

My Journey

I am on a journey,
I don’t know where it ends.
I don’t know where I’m heading,
Or what the future sends.

I don’t know if I’ll make it,
Or if will survive.
I don’t know if I’ll find happiness,
On this long, long drive.

I stare out across my road of fate,
As my dreams pass me by.
I don’t know what to make of things,
But still, I’m willing to try.

I am on a journey,
It’s called the one of life.
I could find love and laughter,
I could find tears and strife.

But I’m gonna keep on driving,
No matter what comes my way,
I will keep on surviving,
Living day by day.

Laura Maw, age 13

Journey’s End

We chat casually,
Like it’s a normal summer’s day
So we pretend,
Pretend we’re going on holiday.
Dad drives for miles,
Pretends the water on his face
Is sweat.
Mum smiles feebly,
She tells us not to fret
Jack looks at me,
Pretends he doesn’t know
Where we’re going,
What we’re doing,
Pretends it’s all for show
When we arrive,
We amble across the grass
A crowd of people are already there,
We apologise for being last
We all stand still,
And I cannot hear a sound,
As the long, thin box is lowered
Into the hole in the ground.
Tears drip down Mum’s face,
And Jack looks at his feet
Dad looks lost and sorrowful,
Somehow incomplete.
My own face is drenched in tears,
One sad thought chases another
I read the plaque on the coffin,
Molly Carver…
Loving wife, friend, grandmother.

HIGHLY COMMENDED:
The following entries were shortlisted (Yup, it was quite a long shortlist!) so very well done to:
Amelia, Tyne Higginbotham, Laura Jones, Victoria Munro, Nicole Croft, Millie Stokes, Becky, Zainab Jaffer, Abby Knowles, Alice O’Brien, Amy Jefferies, Amy Brill, Amy Washbourne, Amy Tait, April Roach, Ashleigh Ryder, Bernice Puzon, Beth Oliver, Laura Furner, Katie Spieckermann, Brooke Lindsey, Lucy Timbrell, Katie O’F, Freya Neason, Chloe, Rebekah,
Imogen Hooper, Chloe, Chloe Pickles, Molly O’Reilly, Claudia Williams, Deanna Knight, Daisy Cross, Emma-Jane Barr, Ellen MacKay, Ellys Bagnall, Emily Hogg, Emily Little, Meabh, Lucy Moore, Sophie Jones, Gulsen Ahment, Haley Cielesh, Rosie, Hayley Anderton, Heather Dunlop, Holly Drover, Holly, Holly Briggs, Jacqui Vincent, Amy Brownlee, Jessie, Jenny Wright, Jessie Tucker, Marisa Codespoti, Katherine Leaver, Kiera Marie Luke, Kim Martin, Kirsty Logan, Kat, Karyna, Ellie Robson, Laura, Laura Wilson, Ciara Pegler, Laura Mc Kitterick, Lauren, Kate Lewis, Emma, Emma Bairstow, Lia, Cody O’Brien, Olivia Andrews, Louise Goode, Alice King, Lorna, Madison Warner, Sam Evemy, Mia Pang, Mollie Kerslake,
Bethany Gwyther, Jodie, Rachael, Miss Danielle L.S., Amanda White, Rosaline McNiff, Tricia, Sophie, Taliesin, Rebecca, Ruth McQueeney, Samantha Whelan, Samantha, Saphina Uddin, Sarah Almajed, Stacey Bird, Seonaid, Jenny, Sian Gilbert, Sonibel Rae, Sophie Pilny, Sophie, Charlotte Jones, Ruva Mankola, Eve Cable, Claire Margeriosn and Leah Byrne.

COMMENDED:
Each of these entries showed potential, promise, imagination and skill. Well done to:
Zoe Morgan, Siobhan Kelly, Abby Nesarasa, Abigail Frayling, Abi, Elyza, Ruth, Adelaide Potter, Alex, Alfaina Khan, Alice Scott, Alyce Burton, Amelia Sykes, Stephanie , Caroline Angus, Anna, Charlotte, Temi, Frankie, Rebecca Johnson, Becky Turner, Rebecca Robertson, Bella Carnell, Bethany Haley, Betsy, Brynnagh Mulherin, Chloe, Briony Harrite Bailey, Brittany Leach, Cahlah, Caitlin Jones, Caroline, Daisy-Beth Gibbons, Ashleigh, Anon, Charli O’Rourke, Carrie Cumming, Charlie Pickthall, Chelsea, Chloe Parkes, Chloe Murphy, Chloe Lamont, Chloe, Kirsty, Mollie Miller, Cecilia, Clare Ince, Claudia,
Chloe Evemy, Aoife Daly, Ashlee McKeown, Saskia Oldham, Caroline, Steph Fairey, Daisy Hanton, Danielle Nicholson, Demi Saint Ledger, Brogan Maguire, Emma Nolan, Dolapo Okunuga, Lauren Child, Eleanor, Ellen Peters,
Elspeth Stevenson, Emma, Emma Latham, Emma Fisher, Emmi Kuivalainen, Agnes Millan, Emma Curran, Erin,
Erin Robinson, Lydia Middleton, Marie Edmonds, Alice Foulis, Gavin, Geena, Georgia Mann, Georgia Pink, Loueyy, Gina, Gloria, Laura, Grishma, Livia Bolas, Hannah R, Hannah, Niamh Hanns, Hira Munawar, Hollie Alexander, Holly Harding, Rebecca Channing, Olvia Milne, Imogen, Claudia, Lorna-Beth Rice, Iveta, Jasmine, Jayne, Jean Coughlan, Jessica Syed, Emma Youngs, Chloe T, Karis, Brooke Chadfield, Kate, Kiea Marie Luke, Kim Martin, Kat, Kirra, Georgia Dee, Kristina, Sophia Riveria, Mishkah, Leah, Emma Bairstow, Emma, Olivia Boyd, Emma Smithson, Holly Goldberg, Aoife O’Neill, Megan Jackson, Alice, Lauren, Lauren Brown, Maddie Myring, Maggie, Louise, Ellie-May Francis, Megan Treacy, Megan Burr, Mehajabeen Farid, Khadijah Sannan, Eilidh Nurse, Abbie, Marie White, Michelle Keating, Molly Kan, Naledi Legodi, Ellen Donald, Mollie, Nadine Rowe, Olivia Jennison, Olga, Chloe Wood, Katherine, Olivia Charleston, Raiden, Talia Ravenscroft,
Kamis, Quieta Bail, Rachel Smith, Rachel Kelly, Rebekka, Rianna, Roisin Cronin, Emily Weston, Samantha, Sarah Neilson, Sarah-Jayne Ballard, Sarah Yeowart, Esther, Shahtaj Shah, Shannon Fergus, Shannon Crichton, Leanne, Isobel Colville, Sarah Buggy, Aishah Ali, Sophie Jennings, Eleanor, Lucy, Athena Perez, Sonam Modhwadia,
Dana Rookwood, Sofia Shchukina, Sophie Korolewicz, Sophie, Sarah Aitken, Loren Bishop, Chelsea Grace Spence, Susan Oslwald, Isobel McNiff, Chan Yun Summer, Shannon, Talia Nelson, Amarina Nhaynes, Tegan Kingham, Chloe Cliff,
Tori Matthews-Osman, Brittany Wilson, Yolanda Moore, Lishani Ramanayake, Lucy Verhoven, Audrey, Siobhan Chambers, Jessica Corrie, Nicole Croft, Clancy Miller, Holly Marsden, Amy Primrose, Harriet Medler and Zoe.