Luke is encouraging students across Plymouth to enter the Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition 2022.

The QCEC is the world’s oldest international writing competition for schools and has been delivered by the Royal Commonwealth Society (Society) since 1883.

Each year, young people write on a theme that explores the Commonwealth’s values and principles. This year, on the occasion of The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, young Commonwealth writers are asked to reflect on inspirational leadership and to explore the positive impact that can be achieved through commitment to their communities within the theme ‘Our Commonwealth’.

Open to all UK residents, aged 18 and under, the competition has two age categories: the Senior Category for those aged 14 – 18 years, and the Junior Category for those under 14 years.

The top two winners from each category will win a trip to London for a week of educational and cultural activities, culminating in a special Awards Ceremony, usually held at Buckingham Palace and hosted by the Society’s Vice-Patron, Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall. All successful entries are recognised for their participation, receiving Gold, Silver and Bronze Awards for excellence in writing or a Certificate of Participation.

Past winners have gone on to become prominent leaders, including the current Prime Minister of Singapore, Mr Lee Hsien Loong, Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Mei Fong, and the renowned author, Elspeth Huxley.

Luke said:

This is a fantastic opportunity for our students in Plymouth to have their voices heard at a global level. There’s no shortage of bright and talented pupils in our communities, and I hope many will enter.

The competition is now open for entries and will close for submissions on the 30th June 2022. For more information on how to enter the competition please visit, www.royalcwsociety.org