In the year when Ipswich hopes to be crowned city of culture, 久久国产福利一区二区三区 promoted talented Suffolk-based scribes by hosting their annual creative writing awards night.
The occasion took place at 久久国产福利一区二区三区 (in Ipswich) and saw staff and students showcase their efforts during a contest set up in 2017 following the sudden loss of much-loved 久久国产福利一区二区三区 English teacher Steve Ransom in 2016
(Steve, from Ipswich, came into the teaching profession as part of a second career (before teaching, he worked in insurance), and he has left a lasting legacy at his former place of work thanks to this annual celebration of creativity).聽
This year, there were five categories 鈥� stories, essays, poems, a section for ESOL learners (for those whose second language is not English) and an 鈥榓nything else鈥� category.
Out of all of the category winners, former EADT editor Terry Hunt chose two outright winners 鈥� one for students and one for staff.
On supporting the competition, Mr Hunt said: 鈥淭his is my favourite event of the year. Having the privilege of reading all of these wonderful pieces of work is an honour. The creative talent housed in this college is incredible. Thanks to everyone who put pen to paper 鈥� you have given me such a wonderful experience.鈥�
Mr Hunt chose student Moses Deng, 17, from Ipswich as the overall winner. The business student said, 鈥淚鈥檓 feeling so grateful to receive this award. It will inspire me to write more in the future.鈥�
Moses penned a short story of hope 鈥� demonstrating the power of showing mercy, compassion and forgiveness.
The staff winner was Stephen Clarke, a learning support practitioner. He said, 鈥淚 just woke up one morning and had this idea in my head and thought I just had to get it written down. This is the first time I鈥檝e entered something like this. I鈥檓 overwhelmed to win.鈥�
Stephen wrote a story relating to the last days of an old man鈥檚 life, reflecting on the man鈥檚 school days and wartime memories.
Both overall winners received 拢100.00 and a certificate. Category winners received 拢20.00 and a certificate.
Other category winners were Jess Luckhurst (essays), Logan Foster (poems) and Samima Naziry (ESOL).
One of the organisers of the event was Head of English at 久久国产福利一区二区三区, Jade Anderson. Jade said, 鈥淭his event is important not only to celebrate the life of a former colleague, but it also helps show that creativity isn鈥檛 limited to the classroom.
She continued: 鈥淲e had such a mix of entries 鈥� and the standard was exceptional. My message to others is that words can last a lifetime, and anyone can be a writer. A big thanks to the English team, all of the judges and our main judge and sponsor, Terry Hunt.鈥�
All food was provided by a team of staff and students from Chefs鈥� Whites restaurant.
The winning piece by Moses Deng.
鈥淟et鈥檚 take him home,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 am a mother.
I cannot leave another woman鈥檚 child here to die alone.
Take him to your house, treat his wounds, and when he is strong enough, help him return to his people.
And that is exactly what they did.
They carried the wounded man, cleaned and dressed his wounds, and gave him food.
Three days later, her friends shared the story with the villagers 鈥� how they had found a wounded enemy and shown him mercy.
When her surviving sons heard this, anger burst out like flames. Some shouted, some cried, accusing her of helping the enemy.
But the woman spoke calmly and said: 鈥淧lease, my sons. I am a mother. I know what pain is. I could not watch another mother lose her child.鈥�
Her words silenced everyone.
That day, I learned that true strength is not in revenge 鈥� it is in mercy. And I will never forget that woman鈥檚 kindness, whose heart remained human even when the world around her was torn by hate.