Pupil chosen as Young City of Literature Ambassador

Congratulations to Nottingham Academy (Ransom Road) pupil Mary Angel who has been chosen as UNESCO Young City of Literature Ambassador.

Mary Angel was nominated by a school teacher because of her passion for writing short stories, poems and reading literature,

Young City of Literature is a new programme to put young people at the centre of promoting literature in Nottingham.

Fourteen ambassadors have been chosen across Nottingham to take part in the programme.

The new programme has been made possible through a funding award of £59,398 from Arts Council England’s National Lottery Project Grants programme.

Throughout the year Mary Angel will take part in a programme of workshops focused on reading and reviewing books, meeting and interviewing local writers and poets, attending festivals, setting up a book club for young readers and planning a city-wide reading and writing competition.

Each ambassador can choose a mentor for the programme. The mentors will be authors and poets.

Mary Angel said: “I didn’t think I would ever get chosen for such an amazing opportunity.

“Poetry, short stories and literature is everything to me. I enjoy critically analysing text and then comparing this to other people’s prospective on it.

“At the moment the book I am reading is Noughts & Crosses but I can’t chose a favourite author, there are too many good ones.

“All the ambassadors have been give the book Scavenger to read and review, I am looking forward to coming together and hearing the different views on the book.

“That is what is so interesting about literature, one piece of text can have a different meaning to people.

“People have a different perception on literature, there is no right or wrong. It is about how people interpret it.

“I am looking forward to meeting other inspiring young ambassadors. Our love for literature will bring young people from different schools together.”

As well as her love for literature and books, Mary Angel keeps busy at school. She is part of Nottingham Basketball Academy, she plays athletics, the guitar, and the piano.

Mary Angel can speak four languages; French, Portuguese, English and Lingala (Congo), which is her native language.

When she is older Mary Angel wants to be a Paediatrician or a Physiologist.

She said: “I want to do a job where I can help people and put a smile on their face.

“Literature and writing short stories and poems will always be my passion which I will always continue on the side of my career.”