Sandra Garland walked away with the inaugural Turks and Caicos Islands Writers Society’s Best Story prize in the adult category, at the awards ceremony, held on Friday, November 26, at Butterfield Square in Providenciales.
Her entry was entered into the Non-Fiction Category.
For her efforts, Garland landed a publishing contract and a TCI authored autographed book, in addition to the first-place trophy, sponsored by Tatianna Handfield and Discovery Tours.
An elated Garland, who is recovering from a nasty auto accident, could not hide her glee, speaking to NewslineTCI.
“I was told that my story made it to the finals and I had no expectation that it would take first place,” Garland said.
“I was elated and a bit fluttery inside - but thankful and grateful when Cynclair (Musgrove – the TCI Writers’ Society Executive Member) made the announcement. I have no idea who the judges were, and that is how it should be,” she said further.
The second-place entry in the Adult category was Benjamin Roberts, who got a round-trip ticket to Grand Turk, the second place trophy and a TCI authored autographed book courtesy of Paradise Smiles and Super Value Supermarket. Roberts entered in the Fiction Category.
Kendly Smith, who entered in the Fiction Category rounded off the top three. He received, in addition to the third-place trophy, $150 and a TCI authored autographed book courtesy of Best Buy, Elan Care Centre, Max Beauty and Ben’s Global Ltd.
It was a Majorie Basden dominance in the High School Category, with that South Caicos outfit taking two top spots.
Jordinae Williams emerged the overall winner of that category, receiving a laptop computer, $100, a TCI authored autographed book courtesy of Claudette Clare of New Age Book Store, for her Horror Story entry.
Kemuel Cox, also of Majorie Basden, with his Mystery entry, copped second place and thereby collected, in addition to the second-place trophy, an electronic notebook and a TCI authored autographed book, courtesy of Bentley Hamilton and Hon. John Malcolm.
Yuan Sayao of Clement Howell High finished third with his Fiction Adventure piece. For his effort, he picked up an electronic notebook, an autographed book penned by a local author and the third-place trophy.
It was a Majorie Basden 1-2 again in the Middle School Category. Thalia Davidson led the charge with a Horror entry. For her efforts, she collected the first-place trophy, a laptop computer and $100, donated by Grace Bay Resorts.
Her schoolmate Parris Hibbert emerged as the second-place winner, collecting an electronic notebook, a TCI authored autographed book and the second-place trophy, donated by Grace Bay Resorts.
A’Shaun Parker of Precious Treasures Middle School finished in third place, collecting an electronic notebook, a TCI authored autographed book and the third-place trophy.
It was a clean sweep for MILLS Institute in the Primary School Category, which was the Fable sector. Malancia Austin, Whitney Ozirus and Chanel Misick completed a shutout in that category. For her first-place exploits, Austin collected the top trophy, $100, a laptop computer, and a TCI authored autographed book, sponsored by Hon. Randy Howell in honour of his mother Mrs Ellen Howell.
Ozirus collected the second-place trophy as well as an electronic notebook and a TCI authored autographed book, sponsored by SNG Financials, while Misick walked away with an electronic notebook, a TCI authored autographed book and the third-place trophy, sponsored by Justice Carlos Simons.
In the meantime, Garland, could not hide her frankness as it relates to the notoriety of the fledgling event. She pointed out that based on the impact, awareness and competitiveness that the competition had already triggered, the prize-giving ceremony should have taken on a much more elegant flavour.
“It was a first of its kind event and the planning was perfect. However, in hindsight, the event deserved a more sophisticated environment,” she concluded.