LONDON: Two Malaysian teens who clinched top spots in the 2024 Queen's Commonwealth Essay Competition — the world's oldest writing contest for schools — had the honour of meeting Queen Camilla at Buckingham Palace yesterday (Nov 21).
It was a proud moment for Evangeline Khoo, 15, and Erynn Liew, 13. Both were named the "Senior Winner" and "Junior Winner", respectively.
Evangeline Khoo Ke Ying, a student at SMK Menjalara, has always been an enthusiastic fan of literature while writing has been Erynn's vigorous passion ever since she was given a travel journal at the early age of four.
The winners and runners-up where presented with certificates at an event hosteds by Queen Camilla at Buckingham Palace.
Addressing guests, Her Majesty said: "Thanks to your talents, your readers are taken on amazing journeys with you across the Commonwealth, from Gambia to Grenada, from Bangladesh to Botswana, from Malta to Malaysia. You make us part of your story; you invite us to share your concerns and your passions; and you eloquently express the power of "Our Common Wealth".
Evangeline's winning piece titled: "Ungrowing Growth" while Erynns winning piece, was "The Indian Ocean Queen's Troubles".
In October, it was reported that Evangeline from Kuala Lumpur and and Erynn from Puchong, Selangor, won the prestigious competition organised by the Royal Commonwealth Society in the UK.
Extracts from the winning pieces were read by Clive Myrie, Tanya Reynolds, Toby Stephens, and Richard Ayoade.
The Queen has celebrated the winners of The Queen's Commonwealth Essay Competition 2024, the world's oldest writing competition for schools delivered by the Royal Commonwealth Society (RCS) since 1883.
Each year, the theme is drawn from Commonwealth values and principles. It encourages young people to engage with pressing issues, such as the environment, equality, and to foster an open-minded and empathetic worldview.
Also present were 13-year-old Victor Kiyaga from Uganda and 16-year-old Christabelle Yeo from Singapore, who took home the titles of "Junior Runner-up" and "Senior Runner-up," respectively.