Sixty-five Reaseheath College and University Centre students have celebrated becoming published authors after their imaginative stories were selected for publication in a national creative writing competition.
The students earned their place in print through the Young Writers competition, Stranger Sagas, which challenged young writers across the UK to create an original story in no more than 100 words. From mysterious mirrors and extraterrestrial adventures to unexpected twists and fantastical worlds, Reaseheath students impressed the judges with their creativity, originality and storytelling skills.
Their success was celebrated at a special awards ceremony on campus, held during the college’s Presentation of Awards week, where students were joined by their families, tutors and industry partners to recognise not only their literary achievements but also the vital role that literacy and communication skills play in future career opportunities.
Every published writer received a certificate. Four runners-up were also presented with a certificate and a copy of the anthology featuring their work, while the overall winner, Freyja Love, took home the Young Writer Trophy and a £50 gift voucher.
The runners-up were Charlotte Wright (Adventure Sport), Jamie Grice (Construction), Joshua Royle (Construction), Morgan Collier (Schools Group).
Freyja Love was named the college’s overall winner for her story, The Binding Handshake, which centres on a mysterious mirror and an unexpected bargain. “I was really shocked,” she said. “I enjoyed writing it and I’d definitely tell other people to just go for it.”
Runner-up Josh Royle explored extraterrestrial life and space travel. “It’s great – I’m published now. That’s so cool,” he said. “I’ve always had a good imagination, and the English team have really helped me. I improved by three grades in just six weeks when I did my resits, and that’s made a huge difference.”
Melissa Risspin, Programme Leader for English, said: “Our annual Young Writer Award ceremony is always my favourite event. It was a real pleasure to meet so many parents and guardians, and to share in the pride of celebrating our learners’ achievements together. The team and I are incredibly proud of every single one of our learners. We hope that seeing their names in print inspires them to keep writing and believing in themselves.”
Industry supporters also underlined the broader value of the achievement. Anna Bates, founder of Room 11 Coaching and sponsor of the prize, said: “Whether English comes naturally or students have had to work incredibly hard to get here, it’s important that we recognise that achievement. Opportunities like this build confidence, and that’s something young people will carry with them long after they’ve left college.”
Julia Yeardley, Chief Operating Officer at South Cheshire Chamber of Commerce, added “It’s wonderful to celebrate what these students have achieved. Communication is one of the most important skills young people can develop, whatever career they choose. Whether they’re writing an email, speaking to customers or working as part of a team, being able to express themselves clearly will always be valuable. I hope today has given them the confidence to recognise just how capable they are.”
