Malaysian Teen Wins Prestigious Commonwealth Essay Prize, Heads United Kingdom
By Subaashinee Kupusamy,
4 NOVEMBER: In a significant honor, Evangeline Khoo KeYing, a 15-year-old student from Kuala Lumpur, has been named the Senior Winner of the Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition (QCEC) 2024. Her short story, Ungrowing Growth, portrays single-use plastic as a victim of human greed, inviting readers to empathize with the material’s misuse. Khoo’s entry, which addresses humanity’s exploitation of the environment, triumphed over a record 34,939 submissions from around the Commonwealth.
Inspired by a friend’s casual disposal of plastic, Khoo crafted her story to highlight the original purpose of plastic and its tragic journey from a tool for good to a symbol of excess. “I wanted readers not to blame plastic but to pity it for being misused,” she shared. Khoo, a student at SMK Menjalara, will join other winners in London from November 18 to 21 for a special week of educational and cultural activities, culminating in an awards ceremony at Buckingham Palace hosted by Queen Camilla.
Joining Khoo in the honor is fellow Malaysian Liew Erynn, 13, who won the Junior Winner title, along with winners from Uganda and Singapore. Khoo expressed excitement about exploring London’s cultural landmarks and history, a fitting reward after her previous QCEC participation yielded no award.
Khoo’s love for literature and mystery novels, particularly those by Agatha Christie, fuels her passion for writing and storytelling. She credits her success to a dedication to reading, participating in competitions, and refining her English language skills. Khoo encourages others to embrace public speaking and competitions, as she believes these experiences build confidence and communication skills. Looking forward, Khoo is eager to continue challenging herself creatively, following her love for writing, music, and the arts as stated in The Star.
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