Butterfly Story Book Launch 2015

The writing competition was launched earlier today September 29, 2015 at the First Impressions Primary School in Johnson's Ghut.

Acting Governor Delma Maduro, along with representatives from the three Rotary Clubs in the Virgin Islands; Rotary Club of Road Town- Ryan Geluk, Rotary Sunrise- Mrs Rosmary Flax and Rotary Club of Tortola- Ms Valarie Georges-Thomas and others, interacted with the students at the launch.

Giving a brief overview of the project, Mrs Maduro said this is the third year the territory is involved in the project and last year Marlie Hughes of First Impressions won the competition. Her winning story was entered in the Butterfly Story Book.

“This story book project was started here in the BVI two years ago together with the E-Club of the Caribbean and we have been very fortunate here in the BVI that we were able to produce four young authors over the years who had their stories published in this book,” said Mrs Maduro.

‘Giving something special to someone special’

The theme for this year’s competition is ‘Giving something special to someone special’.

While being engaged by President of the Rotary Club of Road Town Ryan Geluk, students threw out a number of ideas for their storyline, including doing something for a child who has a brain tumor, sharing gifts with the less fortunate, and making the dream of a less fortunate child come through. Some of the children even reflected on good deeds they would have done at some stage in their young lives.

Mrs Maduro told the student that, in addition to becoming ardent readers, they should adopt the habit of recording/documenting significant activities in their lives. “We can start writing by recording what has happened to us during the day, experiences during the day or memories…. Not just for the story book but you should get into the habit of recording things.”

According to Mrs Maduro, she and others were inspired to do same by teacher Jenny Wheatley.

All the schools throughout the territory are expected to participate in the storying writing competition. Deadline for submissions is November 13, 2015.

Students are required to get their parents’ permission and should fill out a student submission form in order to enter the competition. The stories have to be no less than 300 words and no more than 750 words, something the children of the First Impressions Primary School see as a walk in the park.

The students were implored not to make their stories long-winded and complicated but to stick to one concept and make it interesting to read.

With the competition now launched, the information will be fanned out among other schools across the territory.