THE VOICE Newspaper annual Made by History essay writing competition, open to all 9–14-year-old children, is now underway and entries are welcomed from schools up and down the country.

The Made by History competition is now in its fifth year and aims to encourage students to study history and connect with the icons of the past through unassisted research and a journey of self-discovery. 

The competition is run through October, which is celebrated as Black History Month, and the winner will be announced in November. Competing students currently enrolled in schools across the UK, are asked to submit a 500-word article on the topic: ‘Who is your favourite black author and why?’. 

The winning entry, selected by an independent panel from the community, will be published in The Voice newspaper alongside a picture of the author. The winner of the competition will also receive a gift voucher worth £50.

Last year’s winner was Judah Hibbert who wrote the poem, ‘The Windrush Scandal’ which he entered in the competition under the theme ‘Celebrating The Windrush Generation’, focusing on how Caribbean immigrants to the UK made a positive contribution to Britain. There are also sectional prizes awarded to individuals from different age groups.

After he was announced the winner during the presentation ceremony at London City Hall, Hibbert said: “I thought I would come somewhere near last place… I just didn’t think it was good enough.” 

Hibbert’s poem impressed the judges during the selection process and also the guests at City Hall when he read it aloud, with his mum, in front of those gathered inside the chamber at the iconic London venue.

In addition to the main prize, each of the participants in attendance were presented with a certificate for their participation, while special prizes were handed out to the winners of each age group. 

A surprise announcement at the presentation revealed that the winners of the 2018 competition were invited to tour No. 10 Downing Street, where the Prime Minister of Great Britain resides and operates from. The visit was fulfilled in March this year and the four winners with their parents and teachers had an amazing day.

The Made by History presentations have been held a prestigious venues including the Imperial War Museum and the House of Commons and a similar event will be held this year to celebrate the competition’s fifth year. 

The entry categories are: Age group 9, 10, 11/12 and 13/14. The rules for entry are as follows: A limit of 500 words and a picture can be included; Submissions should be typed unless the handwriting is legible; Plagiarism will be penalised and the essay removed; Deadline for entries is October 24; Essays should be the students original work with evidence of unassisted help.

Parental permission for all students must be provided in the event that they may be interviewed and photographed by The Voice.All entries must be emailed to: [email protected] or posted to: The Voice Newspaper, Made by History Competition, Unit 1 Bricklayers Arms, Mandela Way, London SE1 5SR. Deadline for entries, October 24, 2019 at 12 noon.