Teaching is a great thing when your students make you proud - and we at Lanna are so proud of the three students pictured here (along with their wonderful English teacher, Ms Judith). From left to right: “Ice” Anawat Wongupanun, "Ann" Chatriya Lertwicha, and “Isabel” Nathagan Seiermann.

Winners of the 4th Junior IMPAC Dublin Literary Awards for Thailand, northern region, were announced in a ceremony held on January 11th, at Citylife Magazine - the regional coordinator for the contest.

The essay-writing contest was open to Thai students aged 14-18, writing in English on the topic “If We Could Change the World.”

Three of the five awards went to students of Lanna International School.

First Place was awarded to "Ann" Chatriya Lertwicha. She received B10,000, a certificate, and three return air tickets and accommodation to attend the national Awards ceremony in Bangkok, where she has a chance to scoop the national prize.

Second Place was won by “Isabel” Nathagan Seiermann who received B5,000 and a certificate.

A Special Judges Prize of B1,000 and a certificate went to “Ice” Anawat Wongupanun.

Over 70 entries were received from schools in the northern region and judged by a committee consisting of Mr. Jon Glendinning, Director of British Council, Mr. John Gunther, Director of AUA, and Khun Pim Kemasingki, Managing Editor and Director of Citylife. The judges spoke of the high quality of the entries and their criteria of creativity, insight into the topic, command of the English language, and a tone of heartfelt and personal sincerity.

Chatriya’s winning essay will be published in Citylife Magazine, and she will now compete on a national level, with a chance to win a trip for herself and one parent to Dublin, Ireland to attend the senior international IMPAC Dublin Literary Awards ceremony.

This annual contest is supported by the Embassy of Ireland, international productivity consultant IMPAC, Property Care Services ( Thailand) Co Ltd, The Nation, Nation Junior, Phuket Gazette and Citylife. To find out more about this contest go to www.impacyoungwriters.com

To read the essays click the links below:

"Ann" Chatriya Lertwicha's essay

“Isabel” Nathagan Seiermann's essay

“Ice” Anawat Wongupanun's essay