'Life isn't about finding yourself, it's about creating yourself'

Published on isbi School News dated Friday 16th of December 2011

Fourteen year old Jordan Maxwell-Ridgway, an Upper Fourth pupil at St Benedict's School, Ealing, has written a moving poem called 'Finding Me' which has been selected for publication at the end of the year. 'Finding Me' was Jordan's submission for the Poetry Rivals 2011 competition which attracted over 8,000 entries.

Jordan's poem touches on emotions we can all relate to in one way or another. It's sad and humorous at times. There is a warm and genuinely heartfelt undertone to the poem, as you get drawn into the trials and tribulations of a young child trying to find her place in this world, asking questions they are not quite ready to comprehend. However, sometimes finding answers requires taking a break to realise what is actually in front of us, and a simple smile is all that is needed to find our place.

Jordan, delighted with the news, said 'I was really surprised to have been selected. I love writing creative stories and poems and could not have done this without all the support and encouragement from my family.'

Jordan's poem will be published in 'Poetry Rivals Collection 2011 Little Stars, Big Dreams', which is scheduled for publication on 31 December 2011.