Salimah Ashmiya Bouton of St Esprit RCA School, La Ferme won the 2018 story telling competition with her outstanding performance in the fantasy world of “Goldilocks and the Bears”.
Clad in typical fairy tale clothing, Salimah presented her story with so much ease that the jury was enthralled. Articulating and controlling her tone and making pertinent gestures, she succeeded in bringing the story to life without the least glossophobia. The hall witnessed a religious silence with an audience deeply absorbed in the 9-year old story teller’s presentation until her last word. The story flowed swiftly without any jerks. And the outcome was astounding.
At the announcement of the results the grand winner jumped off her seat in ecstasy. “I am very happy. I worked for it. I am very thankful to my teacher and my parents for their support”, she said just after receiving her prize by the Commissioner of Arts and Culture, Ms Rosedelima Edouard.
This competition was organized for pupils of Grade 5 by the English Speaking Union in collaboration with the Commission for Education, the US Embassy and the Mauritius Commercial Bank Ltd. It was held on Tuesday 19 June 2018 at the Mon Plaisir culture and leisure centre.
Now an annual event in Rodrigues this competition, according to Marie France Roussety, President of the English Speaking Union, aims at encouraging pupils to hone their reading, creativity and oral presentation skills.
The young story tellers, accompanied by their teachers, parents and classmates, came from some 16 primary schools.
Craig Juann Genave of Grand La Fouche Corail came out second followed by Rebecca Laureline Perrine of Montagne Goyaves Community School.