For many, completing a 1,000-word essay on the topic of adaptation and transformation within two weeks isn’t an easy task.
However, Richmond’s Yoshier Hu, a Grade 11 McRoberts Secondary student, found the process relatively easy -- given she had her grandmother as a living example.
Hu is one of two Richmond students who took home second prize at the annual writing contest organized by the Royal Commonwealth Society, a non-partisan charity that has been organizing writing competitions for school children in the commonwealth since 1883.
Ironically, Hu told the Richmond News that writing had never been her strength, and she had always felt hesitant to participate in any kind of writing competition.
But her 75-year-old grandmother changed that.
“My grandmother has been living as a snowbird for the past 10 years, and she has always resided in Richmond during the fleeting summer and returned to Taiwan in the winter. She couldn’t return home and was trapped here for the past two years due to the COVID-19 situation,” said Hu.
Her response to the forced living arrangement was to make the best of it and join a number of groups for seniors, including one that takes care of people’s gardens.
“In a turbulent time of confinement and intermittent delays, my grandmother opened another window in her life. Her poignant story inspired me to pursue my potential to achieve greater heights, including joining the writing contest for the first time in my life,” said Hu.
After winning second prize, Hu said her grandmother cooked a delicious meal to celebrate the win.
“She hopes for me to continue to inspire others by storytelling. She told me, please don’t give up writing since words and ideas can change the world,” said Hu.
Another Richmondite Richard Wong, a Grade 10 student at Saint Paul’s School, won the second prize by submitting a 1,000-word fictional story.
Fiona Li, youth chair of the RCS of mainland BC Education Committee, said hosting this writing contest is such a unique and rewarding experience that she is grateful for.
“I hope the contest is able to inspire more people to write, voice their opinions, just like how hosting the contest inspired me, and gave me the chance to see a diverse range of perspectives,” said Li.
