Alicia Southall

Excited students, proud families, and supportive teachers gathered at Théâtre Lac-Brome on May 24 to celebrate the finalists of the new children’s creative writing contest organized by the Festival Littéraire de Lac-Brome.

Six local elementary classes participated in what turned out to be one of the Festival’s standout events. Students worked in class on original poems or short prose texts, and each teacher submitted three entries for judging. A winner was selected from each class, along with an overall grand prize winner, announced during the Festival’s gala celebration.

A Shining Star in First Grade

The grand prize went to “Bleu,” a poem by Juliette Laplante, a Grade 1 student at École St-Édouard. Juliette told Tempo she was initially shy about sharing her poem with people she didn’t know.

“I told myself that I had to be brave,” she said. “And then I won!”

Juliette says she loves writing poetry because

“poems don’t have laws” — they allow her imagination to run free.

A Celebration of Creativity

The event was hosted by Jacques Goldstyn, beloved author and illustrator, who encouraged the students to be patient and persistent with their writing.

Festival Director Pierre-David Rodrigue praised the creativity on display and thanked the teachers for their essential role:

“Their support and encouragement were key. This contest undoubtedly has a bright future.”

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Contest Finalists

École St-Édouard

• Grade 1: Juliette Laplante (teacher Laurence Brais)
• Grade 1: Laurent Lacombe (Élisabeth Proulx)
• Grade 2: Henri Thisdale (Laurence Brais)
• Grade 3: Léa Lapierre (Kim MacDonald)
• Grade 5: Lawrence Simpson (Charlotte Grisé)

Knowlton Academy

• Grade 5: Felixe Johns (Jessica Thomson)