The 5^th Junior IMPAC Dublin Literary Awards

Citylife was the northern partner to The Nation again this year in organising the 5th Junior IMPAC Dublin Literary Awards for students between the ages of 14 and 18. This year's submissions came from throughout the north of Thailand and was held under the title 'Once Upon a Time'. Some incredibly mature and creative essays were submitted and finally the judges, Pim Kemasingki, Editor of Citylife, Robert Tilley, owner of the Writers Club & Wine Bar and retired journalist and Wanaporn Buanamjued, Group Editor of Compass Magazine chose the following winners.

1^st Prize: Kanyakrit Vongkiatkajorn from Nakorn Payap International School
2^nd Prize: SamSuda Khem-nguad from Grace International School
3^rd Prize: Nadia Estelle Guntang from Prem Tinsulanonda International School
Judge Award: Max Menzel from Lanna International School
Judge Favourite Award: Abia Thakkar Shingala from Nakornpayap International School

There were also two essays which the judges were most impressed with, but which failed to meet criteria for submissions, one because it was not on topic - Chaos Theory by Max Menzel from Lanna International School - and the other was submitted by a twelve year old girl - Abia Thakkar Shingala from Nakornpayap International School (who was incredibly only 11 when she wrote the essay). Both won special mentions and prizes from the judges.

The winner, Kanyakrit Vongkiatkajorn, has received 10,000 baht in cash as well as three plane tickets plus accommodation to attend the national awards ceremony in Bangkok, where she will compete against the winners of Bangkok, the south and the eastern regions. Should she win the national award, she will receive two plane tickets to Dublin in Ireland to attend the Dublin Literary Awards and meet its winner.

Thank you to all participants and we look forward to more incredible submissions next year.

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