USJ successfully held “The 1st Macao-wide English Poetry Writing and Recital Contest”
USJ successfully held “The 1st Macao-wide English Poetry Writing and Recital Contest”
23
May
23/05/2022
The University of Saint Joseph has successfully organised and held “The 1st Macao-wide English Writing and Recital Contest”, attracting over 1,000 original poetries from all local students.
The University of Saint Joseph (USJ) has successfully organised and held “The 1st Macao-wide English Writing and Recital Contest”, with the final round of contest and awarding ceremony held in the morning of Saturday, 21st of May, 2022, at the Auditório Centenário de Fátima in USJ Ilha Verde Campus.
The Contest, with this year’s theme being ‘Colours’, aims to promote English language literacy and foster creativity among the local youth through poetry. It is open to all public or private elementary and secondary schools and university students across the region, attracting over 1,000 original poetries, with only 37 submissions selected to enter the final recital contest, including 15 in the Elementary school category, 15 in the Secondary category and 7 in the University category. Due to the pandemic, two contestants who were overseas in an exchange participated in the competition in the form of online live broadcast.
The participants were required to memorise and recite their works in front of a carefully selected judging panel. A total of 9 cash prizes worth of $19,000 patacas were given to the champion, first runner-up, and second runner-up of each category.
The judging panel consists of the Rector of USJ Rev. Prof. Stephen Morgan, Director of USJ English Centre (ELC) Prof. Duncan Miers, Senior Instructor from English Language Centre of the University of Macao Prof. Joshua Lee, Principal Lecturer of ELC Wesley McLaughlin, Lecturer of ELC Andrew Leong-Murphy, Lecturer of ELC Geoffrey Churchill, and Lecturer of ELC Dora Zhou.
All the submitted written works were evaluated based on their relevance, creativity and originality, coherence of form and structure, and clarity of imagery and language. Lastly, the finalists were evaluated based on stage presence and presentation, poise and spontaneity of recitation, intonation and poetic expression, and clarity of spoken words and diction during the recitation contest.
“This contest will help students build and accumulate knowledge in English poetry, cultivate their humanistic senses and aesthetic taste, discover their abilities of independent thinking, as well as the ability to explore freely and innovate independently.” said the Director of the English Center of USJ Prof. Duncan Miers.
Rector of USJ, Rev. Prof. Stephen Morgan, also commented that the response from the various schools and higher education institutions regarding the Contest has been very enthusiastic, foreseeing a future for continuity of the event. “The event was very successful in promoting English language education and poetry culture to the younger generation. The competition is expected to be held every year in the future, allowing more students to participate, thereby further enhancing their interest and language skills in English”.
The winners of the “The 1st Macao-wide English Poetry Writing and Recital Contest” are:
Elementary Category
- Champion: Si U Hin,, Pui Cheng Middle School (Cash prize of MOP 1,500)
- First Runner-Up: Chan Ay Drial, Premier School Affiliated to Hou Kong Middle School (Cash prize of MOP 1,000)
- Second Runner-Up: Marc Samso Puig, The International School of Macao (Cash prize of MOP 500)
Secondary Category
- Champion: Tang Sin Chi, Premier School Affiliated to Hou Kong Middle School (Cash prize of MOP 3,000)
- First Runner-Up: Chiang Fu Hai Leowyn, Macau Anglican College (Cash prize of MOP 2,000)
- Second Runner-Up: Matilde Neves dos Santos Augusto, Colégio Diocesano de São José 6 (Cash prize of MOP 1,000)
University Category
- Champion: Xi Lu, Macao Institute for Tourism Studies (Cash prize of MOP 5,000)
- First Runner-Up: Mak Hong Sam, University of Macau (Cash prize of MOP 3,000)
- Second Runner-Up: Lau Kak On Victoria, University of Macau (online contestant) (Cash prize of MOP 2,000)
Prof. Duncan Miers’ Speech
Rector’s Speech
Group photo with all the Finalists
Winners of “The 1st Macao-Wide English Poetry Writing And Recital Contest”
Primary Category Winners:
Champion: Si U Hin,, Pui Cheng Middle School
First Runner-Up: Chan Ay Drial, Premier School Affiliated to Hou Kong Middle School
Second Runner-Up: Marc Samso Puig, The International School of Macao
Secondary Category Winners:
Champion: Tang Sin Chi, Premier School Affiliated to Hou Kong Middle School
First Runner-Up: Chiang Fu Hai Leowyn, Macau Anglican College
Second Runner-Up: Matilde Neves dos Santos Augusto, Colégio Diocesano de São José 6
University Category Winners:
Champion: Xi Lu, Macao Institute for Tourism Studies
First Runner-Up: Mak Hong Sam, University of Macau
Second Runner-Up: Lau Kak On Victoria, University of Macau (online contestant)
List of all Finalists:
