Keila Becker takes second place at the South African National English Olympiad

The De La Salle Holy Cross College learner recently took home a R25 000 prize win at the South African National English Olympiad.

Neo Phashe

October 20, 2024

Keila Becker at De La Salle Holy Cross College. Photo: Neo Phashe

It is her love for the English language and the literature created by its words that helped ensure De La Salle Holy Cross College (DLSHCC) Grade 11 learner Keila Becker a second place at the South African National English Olympiad.

Her exceptional work saw her take this position against more than 5 000 entrants, winning not only the cool sum of R25 000 but also the awesome prize of a first year scholarship to Rhodes University.

This was the first English Olympiad she had ever taken part in, though she had participated in maths Olympiads before. Becker explained her school’s English department had approached her, along with a few other learners, to take part. In preparation for the event, they studied an anthology of various autobiographies, and after weekly lessons with the English teacher, they wrote an exam that spanned about five hours, including two essays.

Also read: Pupils excel in World Robot Olympiad

“We got to choose from many different topics and it was really interesting. I love English and literature,” she said. Becker had no clue that this love would ultimately see her take home such a glorious prize.

As she is also in drama, she was recently introduced to the works of Athol Fugard and she thinks he is an amazing playwright. When asked what she plans to study after high school, she said veterinary science, jokingly adding that she may also read to the animals, as they’d make for great listeners.