AN essay written by a Priestley College student has drawn praise from one of the world’s leading universities.
Megan Voce’s exploration of the influences on the French impressionist Edgar Degas was Highly Commended by Fitzwilliam College at the University of Cambridge.
“When I found out I had been highly commended I was really shocked,” said Megan.
“I have participated in quite a few essay competitions over the past academic year, and I try not to think about them once I have entered so this was a great surprise.”
Cambridge run an essay competition to challenge those with the highest academic aspirations.
Megan heard about the competition through Priestley’s Graduate programme which prepares students for Russell Group university applications and study.
She had to explore ‘The Contrasting Societal Concepts and Changing Ideas of the Nineteenth-Century that influenced Edgar Dega’s ‘Interior’.’
“Prior to the competition I had been exposed to quite a bit of Edgar Degas’ work at galleries and in books I had read. I was really interested in drawing some conclusions between his influences as they were really varied and nuanced,” she said.
The Fitzwilliam Essay competition gives students an opportunity to respond to a topic in an academic text whilst engaging in a subject they are interested in.
Megan, a former pupil at The Heath, has been invited to an award ceremony at the University of Cambridge to receive her certificate and a £25 book voucher.
After finishing her studies of Fine Art and Creative Practices at Priestley, Megan is considering the Art Foundation course at college before aiming to study Fine Art at the Ruskin School of Art at Oxford.
“I could go on for days about how beneficial and enjoyable I found this experience and I really just could not recommend it enough,” she said.