A record crowd of about 200 turned out this past weekend at the George Town Public Library to see the creativity of some of Cayman’s young readers at the annual Storyboard Competition where 55 storyboards were displayed by 85 students from six of Cayman’s public and private schools.  An initiative spearheaded by the Cayman Islands Information Professionals (CIIP) and sponsored by the Cayman Islands Public Library Service and Rotary Sunrise, the competition gave students the opportunity to share their favourite books through a storyboard display. From Dr. Seuss and Lemony Snicket to Roald Dahl and Stephen King, the 14 judges were impressed by the quality of the submissions and the attention to detail shown by exhibitors.

The storyboards were judged on guidelines that included plot summary, issues of conflict, the author’s purpose, tone and mood and how that information was expressed in terms of clarity, creativity, thoroughness, interest invoked and quality.  The final element of the competition required the participants to answer questions and talk about their book without the use of the storyboard, as well as answer questions about the elements included in the storyboard and how they relate to the chosen book.

“I am very impressed by the storyboards that were created by these students, and the enthusiasm shown for the chosen literary works. Events like these allow our children to develop their language skills, learn to express themselves and use their imaginations, and I thank CIIP, the Public Library Service and Rotary Sunrise for giving them this opportunity,” said Ministry of Education’s Acting Chief Officer Cetonya Cacho.

“Once again, these students have blown us away with the quality of their work and their creativity.  All of them are winners in our eyes because they read a book and that means their worldview was expanded; their vocabulary and writing was improved; and their knowledge base was broadened.  As promoters of literacy, we couldn’t ask for anything more,” said Paul Robinson, CIIP Chairman and Acting Director of the Public Library Service.  “Thank you to the parents, friends and other supporters who came out to show their appreciation for these students’ efforts and congratulations to all the exhibitors.”

Winners were chosen in six age divisions ranging from five to 18-years old and awarded various prizes. 

·         Division A (individual 5-8 years old) – Tilly Tammemagi – E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial by Melissa Mathison (screenplay)

·         Division B (individual 9-12 years old) – Rachel Balls – I Survived The Eruption of Mount St. Helens 1980 by Lauren Tarshis

·         Division C (individual 13-18 years old) – Alexander Rhule – Hatchet by Gary Paulsen

·         Division D (small group 5-8 years old) – Aaron, Noah & Amaya Rajamohan – The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss

·         Division E (small group 9-12 years old) – Camille Allard, Imogen Howe & Renee Wambugu – Matilda by Roald Dahl

·         Division F (small group 13-18 years old) – Justine Rhule, Sarah Harrison & Xoe Bullings –IT by Stephen King

The winning storyboards will be displayed at Books and Books.

For more information about the Public Library Service’s programmes and events, email Paul Robinson on[email protected] or call 244-6108.

Photo Captions:

• 774 – Winner Alexander Rhule with MEYSAL Acting Chief Officer Cetonya Cacho and Rotary Sunrise Literacy Director Hendrik-Jan van Genderen
• 777 – Winners Aaron, Noah & Amaya Rajamohan with MEYSAL Acting Chief Officer Cetonya Cacho and Rotary Sunrise Literacy Director Hendrik-Jan van Genderen
• 779 – Winners Camille Allard, Imogen Howe and Renee Wambugu with MEYSAL Acting Chief Officer Cetonya Cacho and Rotary Sunrise Literacy Director Hendrik-Jan van Genderen
• 782 – Justine Rhule, Sarah Harrison and Xoe Bullings with MEYSAL Acting Chief Officer Cetonya Cacho and Rotary Sunrise Literacy Director Hendrik-Jan van Genderen
• 785 – The 2019 Storyboard Competition winners with members of the Cayman Islands Information Professionals and MEYSAL Acting Chief Officer Cetonya Cacho