Over 13,500 poems were submitted for the international "Foyle Young Poets of the Year" competition, and we were thrilled to receive the news that Nerys in Year 9 was awarded a 'Highly Commended' prize.  This represents an incredible achievement considering that there was such a high number of poems submitted from 100 countries.

Nerys commented:

"I would strongly encourage others to write and enjoy poetry as a form of creative work, an outpouring of emotion, or even to see the world in a different light. Through my love of poetry, I was motivated to independently research and enter this competition. I would like to urge others with a passion for creativity to enter this competition next year, or something similar in whatever form." 

Nerys was invited to attend the awards ceremony and found it very inspiring, gaining the opportunity to listen to the winning entries and to receive advice from the Poet Laureate, Simon Armitage, amongst others.  

Ahead of its publication in an online anthology next year, Nerys's poem can be read below.