Anina Walters, 10, from Durbanville, was crowned as the winner of 2024 Story Stars competition. Picture: Supplied.
Durbanville Primary School pupil Anina Walters, 10, was crowned as the winner of 2024 Story Stars competition.
Story Stars is an annual creative writing competition for all Grade 4 pupils in the province, presented by the Western Cape Education Department.
Anina, otherwise known in her story as “Anina Mouse”, is the fifth Story Stars annual winner.
The second place went to Isabella Hubbard from Kleinmond Primary School in the Overberg and the third place went to Hafsa Ackers of Rustenberg Girls’ Primary School from Rondebosch.
As the winner of the 2024 Story Stars writing competition, Anina’s story has been made into an animated film, narrated by and starring Anina as Anina Mouse, alongside main characters, Felix and Felicity.
“She was approached at the end of last year about her winning story, so that we could record her voice for the animated film that was revealed (on Thursday February 20),” said Education MEC David Maynier.
Anina’s story, The Land of Sweets, took Felix and Felicity to a magical land of toffee trees, marshmallow mice, a cheese curls forest and a pretzel prison.
“It was wonderful to see the winning story come to life at the premiere of her animated film. The animators clearly had fun with their artistic interpretation of Anina’s characters and scenery, creating wonderful movement, sounds and characters in this entertaining short film,” Mr Maynier said.
The Story Stars winner receives a computer tablet, a book bag, and branded stationery. The winning school also receives a R10 000 payment for learning and teaching support materials, according to the department.
You can watch Anina’s animated film here.