On Thursday 12^th June, I was honoured to have been invited to attend the Dulverton Essay Prize Evening at King’s School. The theme for this year’s 1,500-word essay was inspired by one of War Photographer Adam Dobby’s photographs entitled: “Hope: the stubborn, the unconquerable," with the accompanying quote: “No child deserves to grow up without a childhood as we understand childhood. That right to play, that right to learn, that right to share without being afraid …”

Adam Dobby is a former SAS staff sergeant turned award-winning war photographer, known for his motto “I put down my rifle and picked up a camera,” reflecting his mission to capture human stories from conflict zones with compassion and honesty.

In response to my entry being highly commended by the judges (including Headmaster Mr David CA Morton, Dr Matthew Lim, Mr Tom Horler-Underwood, and Adam Dobby himself), I was honoured to be shortlisted as a finalist!

The entries were judged on Originality, Academic Rigour and Relevance to the title; the best two essays from Key Stage 4 and 5 were shortlisted and invited to an evening with Adam Dobby.

Behind the Pages: The process of writing My Winning Essay

My winning essay, entitled: “Stolen Childhoods: Reclaiming the Right to Dream,” explored the harsh realities faced by children living in conflict and poverty across the globe. Drawing from the theme of hope combined with the perspicuous and representative adjective, ‘unconquerable’ - with connotations of being impossible to obtain for deprived, marginalised children all over the world - I crafted the refrain: “Hope is not a luxury. Hope is a lifeline. Hope is a right.” My essay interweaves real-life global examples with a descriptive, story-like tone: illustrating my unique writing style, and aiming to evoke empathy; advocating for awareness to the everyday struggles of forgotten children.

An Unforgettable Evening

My family and I had the pleasure of attending the Awards Ceremony along with the other finalists; I was delighted to be announced as the overall winner of the Dulverton Essay Competition 2025—an unforgettable moment that filled me with pride! This was an incredible achievement for which I am deeply appreciative and proud to have received such meaningful recognition, reflecting both my passion for writing and the hard work I put into my entry.

As part of the award, I received a £100 Waterstones gift voucher and a signed copy of Adam Dobby’s photograph: Hope: the stubborn, the unconquerable — a meaningful and lasting reminder of the experience.

Words That Spark Conversation

Dr Matthew Lim from King’s School described the Awards Evening as extraordinary and awe-inspiring, saying:

Each pupil who gave us a short summary of their writing and engaged with Adam – he gave first-hand accounts of his experience in conflict-zones. The evening saw us use each pupils' essay as a springboard for deep conversations with Adam which were stimulating, thought-provoking and filled with empathy, compassion and humanity.

Looking Ahead—A future waiting to be written

Winning this competition has not only given me confidence in my voice as a writer, but also encouraged me to keep exploring ideas that matter. As I look ahead, I hope to continue using words to make a meaningful impact — and to stand up for those whose stories too often go unheard.