St George Sec student tops national letter writing contest

Athena Browne of St George Secondary School has won first place in the Barbados Postal Service National Letter Writing Competition, impressing judges with her entry on the importance of human connection in a digital world.

Browne received her award during a prize-giving ceremony at the General Post Office in Cheapside, Bridgetown, on Friday.

Second place in the competition went to Knela Walcott of Harrison College, while Olivia Dean of The Alleyne School placed third.

The audience at the awards ceremony. (Photo Credit: Lauryn Escamilla)

The second form student said she entered the competition to strengthen her writing abilities.

“I entered the competition because I wanted to get better at it, since this is not my first competition that I’m doing,” she said.

Explaining the inspiration behind her letter, Browne added: “I basically pictured it as me talking to a friend that had moved overseas,” while focusing on “technology and how human connection can be useful in it.”

She encouraged other young people to participate in writing activities, noting that the skill can be beneficial in careers involving “poetry, literacy and story writing.”

Minister of Home Affairs and Information Gregory Nicholls said the competition was about more than awarding prizes.

“Today’s ceremony is about celebrating the voices, the intellect, the imagination, the drive and the vision and the potential of our nation’s youth,” he said.

Nicholls noted that the competition’s theme, Why Human Connection Matters in a Digital World, was especially relevant at a time when technology dominates communication.

“Letter writing remains one of the most meaningful forms of communication because it requires thoughtfulness, empathy, sincerity and reflection,” he said.

He also encouraged participants to continue developing their talents.

“Your words matter, your ideas matter. Certainly, your contribution to the future of Barbados matters.”

Postmaster General Joann Busby said the Barbados Postal Service has participated in the Universal Postal Union’s International Letter Writing Competition for nearly 20 years.

“This year’s theme asks young people to write a letter on why human connection matters in a digital world. And it could not be more timely,” she said.

While technology allows people to communicate instantly, Busby stressed that “it cannot fully replace empathy, understanding, kindness and meaningful relationships”. 

She added that letter writing remains important because “a letter requires thought, effort and personal expression”.

Special recognition was also given to nine-year-old Xachary Haywood of St Mark’s Primary School, who received an award as the competition’s youngest entrant.

Youngest entrant Xachary Haywood and his mother Natasha Haywood. (Photo Credit: Lauryn Escamilla)

“My letter was about human connection,” he said, adding that he entered because “I was getting a prize”. 

When asked what advice he would give other children, Haywood simply said: “Writing is fun and you will win a prize for writing.”

His mother, Natasha Haywood, said he was excited from the moment he learned about the competition.

“He worked very hard. His teachers helped him,” she said, recalling that he “started to jump up” when he learned he would be recognized.

She urged parents to support their children’s development, saying: “Encourage your children to keep reading, keep writing, and just keep supporting them.”

The annual competition, organised by the postal service in partnership with the Universal Postal Union, aims to promote literacy, creativity, research and communication skills among young people.

(LE)