Hadassah Ollivierre, a 12-year-old student from St. Vincent Girls’ High School and a resident of Bequia, has been honored with the bronze award in the Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition (QCEC) 2025. This competition, recognized as the world’s oldest and most esteemed international writing contest, celebrated its 75th anniversary this year under the theme “Our Commonwealth Journey.” Organized by the Royal Commonwealth Society, the event aims to inspire young writers from across the Commonwealth to express their ideas, dreams, and experiences through creative writing. Ollivierre competed in the junior category, open to participants under 14, with her imaginative story titled “Through the Garden Door: A Secret Garden Adventure with Mysteries of the Heart.” Her essay, inspired by the prompt “A very special journey when you discover a secret door that takes you into your favourite book,” stood out among 53,434 entries from 897 schools across 54 Commonwealth nations. The judging panel, featuring renowned authors and cultural figures such as Sir Ben Okri OBE and Imtiaz Dharker, ensured a thorough and inspiring evaluation process. Ollivierre’s achievement highlights her creativity, discipline, and passion for storytelling, as well as the support of her teachers and family. Her success not only brings pride to Bequia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines but also showcases the literary potential of young Caribbean writers on a global platform. The QCEC continues to empower young voices to explore themes of identity, belonging, and shared humanity across the Commonwealth’s diverse cultures.
Bequia student wins bronze in Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition 2025
