Image L-R: Yara, Millie and Chiamaka
This activity was run in conjunction with Access Sheffield, who support widening participation by giving opportunities to students with non-standard circumstances or facing barriers to higher education.
The students at the summer school took part in a mock press conference with a detective, after a fictitious burglary-gone-wrong where the householder and a burglar died. They also had access to video statements from a local pub landlord and a councillor, and other materials which had previously been prepared for a Virtual Reality Immersive Newsgathering workshop on the same subject.
The students were then tasked with writing a 350 word news story using the content they had gathered. Despite only receiving a very basic run through of news story structure, the quality of the entries was very high. They were judged by academic staff from the School of Journalism, Media & Communication.
The winner, who received a £50 voucher and the offer of mentoring should they wish to pursue journalism, was 17-year-old Yara Mustafa, from St Mary's College, Hull.
Yara’s story was packed with detail, with a gripping intro that grabbed the attention of the reader. Yara is hoping to study aeronautical engineering at university.She said she was thrilled to win the competition and that the summer school was a “great experience”.
Two runners up, who each received a £25 voucher, were Millie Cameron, 17, from Hall Cross Academy Sixth Form in Doncaster, and Chiamaka Ani, from Loreto Grammar in Altrincham.
Millie plans on studying theology or philosophy, followed by an MA in Journalism. Chiamaka, who said she hates essay writing, said the task made her realise that other types of writing could be fun, and she now hopes to pursue a career that includes writing articles.
Yara’s winning story is below.
Bramley Horror: Councillor Richard Franks Murdered in Brutal Burglary
In a shocking and brutal attack, South Yorkshire's Bramley community was rocked last night by the murder of local parish councillor Richard Franks. The crime, which occurred on Cross Street, involved two burglars, one of whom was later found dead.
Richard Franks, a respected pillar of the community known for his dedication to improving local safety, was tragically murdered with a hammer. The crime was first discovered when his wife, Melanie Franks, made a frantic call to the police from the attic, where she hid in terror. The police arrived at the scene at 11 PM, only to find Franks dead and one of the intruders, Brett Andrew, also deceased with a head injury at the bottom of the stairs, suggesting he might have fallen during the chaotic scene.
The second suspect managed to escape and is currently at large. Officer Joann Riggs described the fugitive as a white male, approximately 6'2" with a thin build, wearing black baggy trousers and a black hood. The police are urging anyone with information about this individual to come forward.
Richard Franks' death has left the community in shock. The new parish councillor highlighted Franks' mission to enhance local safety and his commitment to his family, including his two young daughters. Franks’ contributions to Bramley were numerous, and his loss is deeply felt.
Local landlord Karen Vickers, of the King Henry Pub, witnessed the commotion of police cars and an ambulance on what he described as an unusually quiet weekday night. He remarked on the tragic irony of the situation, noting that Brett Andrew, despite his troubled past and history of alcohol abuse, was known in the pub for having a "heart of gold."
The police revealed that the incident follows a string of burglaries in the area, with thieves targeting valuable items like laptops, game consoles, and jewellery. This pattern of crime raises concerns about a broader wave of criminal activity in the usually peaceful neighbourhood.
As the investigation continues, the Bramley community mourns the loss of Richard Franks and grapples with the violent intrusion into their lives. Authorities are working tirelessly to apprehend the remaining suspect and bring justice to those affected by this heinous crime.
