PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENTS //
From Hitler and Thunberg , to neurology , feminism , the Montgomery Bus Boycott , nihilism , and Lawrence of Arabia , the evening was inimitable . I am exceedingly proud of each participant who spoke ; in particular , the commitment and individuality they all brought to the event .
The evening was facilitated by the English department , courtesy of Mrs Tomlinson . Our two judges , Mrs Lisa Hutchinson , and Ms Julie Franks breathed ingenuity , rapport and intellect into their adjudication process , and our fantastic timekeeper Mrs Wilson ensured speech duration ran smoothly . Guests enjoyed excellent wine and canapés that truly elevated the evening , and enjoyed a musical interlude , provided by Jess Kneeshaw on the piano . Kai Swanborough ’ s poster and invitation design must not go unmentioned , planting a myriad of them around the school site to support his peers .
I cannot conclude my thanks without congratulating the top three candidates . Autumn Flanagan took home third place , for her intertwining speech of history , control , and inevitability . Her passion was palpable , unforgettable and , in all , inspiring . Isadora Philip ’ s words danced and struck , hauntingly beautiful , in her piece on the suffragettes , gifting voices to the silenced women of the past and present . This , rightly , awarded her second place .
First place went to Henry Hudson , securing the Sir Paul Bryan Public Speaking Cup . The audience was captivated with his linking of dictators to environmental activists . Henry warned of tyranny , beatifically subverting the idea of great power and great responsibility .
In addition to these three winners , I would again like to commend every one of the ten participants : Harry Newbould and his ingenious historical inference , Isadora Philip , Autumn Flanagan , Henry Hudson , Sophia Lisboa ’ s moving , poignant take on ignored women of colour , Vivi Mayman ’ s ranging from footballers to the Kardashians , John Baker ’ s witty stance on determinism and quantum physics , Phoebe Anderson and rebelling against history , Jenni Harrison ’ s questions of if we are predetermined to be forgotten , and of course , George Walster ’ s stunningly well-crafted ideas of love , nihilism , and humanity .
The breadth of variety was something I had not anticipated would stem from my stimulus , and the camaraderie and good sportsmanship between friends made the evening unforgettable . To everyone involved , to everyone that attended : it was a great honour to host Lectern Society 2022 .
HARRIET HODGE SHOWJUMPING
Harriet Hodge ’ s dream came true this year , when she qualified for the prestigious Horse of the Year Show , which took place at the Birmingham NEC in October 22 .
The qualifying season for a place in this sought-after show , started when Harriet attended the first summer Pony Premier at Arena UK , near Grantham . From 87 starters , Harriet took the win on her pony , Charlie , in the hotly contested Newcomers class , after jumping three rounds , starting at 1.10m and finishing at 1.20m in the third round . Harriet ‘ s three clear rounds qualified her for the Newcomers Championship at the prestigious Horse of the Year Show – held in October , she will compete against the best junior riders in the country .
Then over the Jubilee weekend , Harriet was competing again at the Equestrian Centre in Cheshire , where she secured three more qualifications for the Horse of the Year Show .
Harriet and her pony were on incredible form , with a unique treble win , in which she won all three of the major qualifying classes – Newcomers , Foxhunter and , the pinnacle class , the Pony of the Year Showjumper . This has never been done before by one rider at the same show . What makes this even more of an accomplishment is that Harriet won the Newcomers and Foxhunter on a new pony , Queen Mac .
Harriet said : “ It has been my dream to one day jump at HOYS . To win the first qualifier against the best riders exceeded all my expectations . With only four qualifying spaces available and with three riders left to go after me , I knew I had to go for it . Charlie was amazing , he gave me everything ; I am so proud of him . Landing over the last fence and realising I had qualified was a special moment for me and a very emotional one .”
THE POCKLINGTONIAN 17