A Grade 12 learner of Trinityhouse Randpark Ridge has been awarded a gold certificate for her debating-style essay submission which addressed the Covid-19 pandemic: viruses, villains, victims and victors as part of the social justice writing competition.
The South African Schools Debating Board conducted this competition in affiliation with the Centre For Sexualities, Aids and Gender, which saw Grade 12 learner Liahna Moodley achieve victory.
Liahna shared she knew she had to enter as soon as she saw that it was a writing competition as writing had always been something that she enjoyed. “Initially, I felt a bit nervous to share my writing as I consider writing to be incredibly personal but I decided to submit my entry as I remembered that it wasn’t worth missing this opportunity over a few feelings of doubt.”
She explained if she didn’t take the chance and shared her voice, she would have never garnered the courage to speak up about something that she considered to be important. “I wanted to enter the competition to prove to myself that I was confident in myself and in my voice.”
Receiving this award filled Liahna with confidence and security within herself and her thoughts. “As a young person, I think that we are sometimes insecure about our thoughts, our opinions and our perception of the world because we fear what others may think and that we may sound silly.”
She said it was important to remember that we all have a voice that deserves to be heard and that everyone should open themselves up to growth by sharing their thoughts and hearing what other people had to say.
“Overall, I feel more assured of my ability to write and am more open to sharing my thoughts with others.”
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