The Warriors Community Foundation’s 2024 League in Libraries programme has successfully concluded, announcing winners in three major categories. This literacy initiative, which has been running for several years, received nearly 1,000 entries from 100 schools across the country.
Lincoln Jefferson, CEO of the Warriors Community Foundation, expressed his excitement over the programme’s growth, attributing it to the steadfast support of partners like the Wright Family Foundation. He highlighted the importance of such partnerships in promoting literacy and providing educational opportunities for young people, emphasizing that this programme not only fosters a love of reading but also teaches values that will benefit participants throughout their lives. Jefferson was particularly pleased that, for the first time, all three supreme winners were female.
The winning authors, Kate Vireak from Parnell District School, Chloe Sturgess from Beachlands School, and Siraya-Grace Taukiri from Te Waka Unua School, were praised by Jefferson for their exceptional creativity, comprehension, and enthusiasm for reading. Their achievements were celebrated in a special way last week when they attended the One New Zealand Warriors’ captain’s run at Go Media Stadium before the team’s match against Canterbury Bankstown.
As part of their prize, the young authors were given the opportunity to see their books for the first time at Blue Star. They participated in a workshop where they observed the illustration process of their stories and received valuable guidance on editing and refining their work. This hands-on experience gave them a deeper understanding of the publishing world, further inspiring their passion for storytelling.
