Results from the English Language Essay Writing Competition 2007
for lower sixth formers

The Finnish-British Society’s annual English Essay Writing Competition was held for the 24th time on the 7th and 8th of November, 2007. An invitation was sent out to the first class of all sixth forms (“lukios”) in Finland. Teachers then sent in the best essay from each class, and in all 212 essays were received from a total of 85 schools.
The jury was composed of five judges, including representatives from the Helsinki Finnish-British Society, the Finnish Matriculation Examination Board, and the University of Helsinki Department of English. They were unanimous in giving first prize to Minerva Pietilä from Kallion lukio for her thought-provoking and well-written essay, which challenged stereotypes about the so-called differences between men and women. Well done Minerva!
The standard of essays was as usual, high, and the judges would like to congratulate the eleven runners-up and thank all those who took part in the competition.

Mark Shackleton, Chairman, Essay Writing Competition.

Essay topics:
1. I hate/love when my best friends…
2. Write a story beginning “Someone had made a terrible mistake…”
3. Computer dating – scary or not?
4. Travelling abroad – a great benefit?
5. Women are from Venus, men from Mars. Are males and females so very different?
6. What are pets for?

First prize, a trip to England:
Minerva Pietilä Kallion lukio Topic no 5.

Runners-up prize, an English dictionary:
(in alphabetical order)
Samuel Beniard Helsingin normaalilyseo Topic no. 6.
Terhi Lehkonen Tampereen lyseon lukio Topic no. 5.
Siiri Lingman Tampereen klassillinen lukio Topic no. 5.
Johanna Matikainen Ressun lukio Topic no. 4.
Sang Ngumen Tampereen yhteiskoulun lukio Topic no. 2.
Santtu Tapio Niskala Kemin lyseon lukio Topic no. 2.
Joona Rontu Ulvilan lukio Topic no. 2.
Frans Saukko Nivalan lukio Topic no. 4.
Alana Saul Kallion lukio Topic no. 5.
Sofia Singler Jyväskylän lyseon lukio Topic no.3.
Henna Tikka Mäntän lukio Topic no. 3.