Cape Town - Star College learners in Sybrand Park, Rondebosch, shone at this year’s TeenEagle International Language Competition in the UK.
The acclaimed English language competition, held in London from August 3 to 11, saw Feiroza Omar, 16, Nazrana Kumandan, 17, Adhraa Ismail, 16, Ameera Kumandan, 15, Safiya Ismail, 15, Shefaa Geduld, 13, and A’Kifah Hendricks, 13, jet off to represent not only Star College Cape Town, but also South Africa.
The initial qualifying round is done online, before the qualifying learners get to compete on a global scale in a different capital city each year.
The girls, who are in different grades at Star College, competed against 21 other countries, with over 200 learners in various categories ranging from a spelling bee to debates and writing challenges.
Star College’s learners rose to the occasion, and each of the well-spoken learners won two medals, with Nazrana also bagging two special awards.
Teacher Mishkaah Lee, who helped the team train and accompanied them overseas, said she was proud, as they were the only school to have every participant win an award.
“It is always a pleasure to facilitate our learners. They are independent, headstrong and ambitious. I was grateful that all their efforts were met with great reward.
“Even just qualifying for the Global Finals in itself is a feat all on its own. For them to hold the country’s flag and fly it high until the very end (was amazing).”
The learners, who want to study either medicine, law or go into architecture, said they would use their win to help them with future university applications.
Ameera, who won gold and silver medals, recalled how she felt when it was her turn to take centre stage.
“I was nervous, not because of the competition, but because of the expectation I set for myself. I knew this was not only for my school, but for the country as well. I needed to hold South Africa’s name up.
“Then when I won, I was so relieved that all of our months of hard work paid off and we can go home with something to show.”
The group of wordsmiths also visited many bookstores, for which they had to buy extra suitcases to bring it home.
Shefaa, who also bagged silver and gold, said they were confident because they knew they had put in the hard work.