Pride of Jobstown creative writing competition shines

YOUNG people living in Jobstown penned a very positive image of their community in a recent writing competition, which saw many of the entries focus on the great people living in the area and their caring nature.

Organised by the Little Monsters Youth Club, as part of the ongoing Pride of Jobstown programme, the writing competition invited kids to write a piece on what’s great about their community in 300 words or less using poetry or prose.

Young writers were asked to finish the following, ‘The best thing about living in Jobstown is…’

More than 40 children entered the competition, with an award ceremony being held in An Cosan in Jobstown on Wednesday, April 5.

When asked what they hoped the competition achieved, the Little Monsters committee told The Echo: “We hope that the impact of the competition is that the children have reflected on the positive side of our community and they can remind those that may have forgotten or in their busy lives fail to notice the good things about our area.

“The running theme across nearly all the entries was about the people and how they care.

“We may have a negative stereotype put on us from outside but as long as the community themselves know and believe that it is a great place to live then at the end of the day that’s all that matters.”

After being put through the difficult task of judging, Julia Klaza was chosen as the winner of the under-10 category while Sophie Smith was named the runner-up.

In the under-13 category, Catherine Stacey took the top spot and Joseph Adebiyi was presented with the runner-up prize.

Thanking the young people for their community work, An Cosan awarded those gathered with a tea party, which was also attended by Deputy Mayor and Jobstown native Martina Genockey.

Concluding the committee said: “The kids in the Little Monster’s Youth  Club realise that it’s the people that make a community in the true meaning of the word and whatever is lacking in services can be overcome when the people care for each other… and that’s what Jobstown has in spades.”