Wednesday 25 July 2018

Courage and Compassion

We recently had the chance to catch up with Year 8 student, Sam Bevacqua who has had another one of his poems published in the Vision magazine for the Victorian Association for Gifted and Talented Children. The poem, titled Courage and Compassion was published in the June edition and one that Sam wrote as part of the Global Ambassadors ‘Art with Heart’ exhibition earlier in the year where students were encouraged to think about what courage and compassion meant as part of the exhibition.

When did you start writing poetry?

When I was six-years-old. My primary school always used to have a poetry writing blitz for the Dorothea MacKellar poetry awards and, since then, I always look for more opportunities to write.

How does it feel to have your work published at such a young age?

The first time I was really shocked but happy to be part of a National Collection after trying for four years before being accepted. Each time since I still get surprised and wonder why my poem has been selected.

If you could do anything in the world what would that be?

I haven’t decided yet but I definitely want to go to University and pursue further study in History and Technology.

Who do you most admire and look up to?

In my community I most look up to Kosta Giaprakis, because even though he was in Year 12 and had the responsibilities of VCE subjects, exams and being school captain last year he still spent lunchtimes with the year 7 students most of the year, including teaching us chess and being friends with us all despite the age difference. Kosta still spends time with us as our Year 8 soccer coach each Saturday, even though he is now at University. I admire his selflessness and he is a great coach, honest person and a kind friend to every single person on the team.

Out of world leaders, I most admire Justin Trudeau because he has achieved so much so young, seems to be fair, kind and compassionate to all people and shows courage in standing up to unfair world leaders.

A big congratulations to Sam on this fantastic achievement.

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