TALENTED young writer Louise Hyland has won the Trafford School's Olympics Essay writing competition for capturing the true spirit of the games in her 500-word essay.
Open to all year nine children across the borough, Louise, a high flying pupil at Loreto Grammar School, was at pains to tell her readers that she was no sportswoman herself, but was enthralled, enthused and engaged by the desire of athletes to be the best.
Her essay concluded with a powerful summary of the central values first espoused on Mount Olympus and then reignited by Baron Pierre De Coubertin.
Louise, 13, from Sale, wrote: “The London 2012 Olympic and Paralympics have seven values: respect, excellence, friendship, courage, determination, inspiration, equality. These values can motivate us in our everyday lives, to know our limits (respect), to always strive to do our best (excellence), to understand other people’s differences (friendship), to remain strong even in our darkest hours (courage), to push on through difficult times (determination), to be our own person to encourage others (inspiration), and to treat everyone as equals (equality).
“The Olympics mean that we should strive for the pursuit of excellence, and understand, acknowledge and appreciate the hard work that people do in their respective fields. The Olympics and Paralympics do not only offer athletes an opportunity to make their nation proud, but give others a chance to work and a chance to watch. The Olympics and Paralympics show me that anyone can overcome adversity to achieve their goals, no matter what.”
Louise says her favourite writer is J.K. Rowling and that she would love to become a professional writer, though sensibly aged only 13, added “I have not really made my mind up yet.”
Jane Beever headmistress at Loreto Grammar School said: “Louise is a perceptive, intelligent and gifted young writer who is a joy to teach.”
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