Singing out for justice

17 Song winners

Standing out from 120 entries in Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand’s SINGout- 4JUSTICE competition , three students from Hillcrest High School (Hamilton) and Sacred Heart College (Lower Hutt) wowed the judges. Year 11 students, Shanille Lat and Ngarangi Sadlier-Patmore (Sacred Heart College), won the senior category for their song Questions. Year 10 student, Sophie Frame, of Hillcrest High School won the junior category with her song Tuhia Ki to Rae.

Responding to the Blessed Oscar Romero inspired theme “Love more. Be more” set by Caritas, the Year 10 and 11 students highlighted the importance of “loving” and “being” over the material drives of “getting” and “having”.

“My song talks about remembering God’s love even when life becomes busy”, said junior winner Sophie Frame. “Sometimes we get so caught up in everything that’s happening that we forget to stop and take a moment to love those around us . . . .”

Senior category winners Ngarangi and Shanille drew from personal experiences,  “Wondering if what [you] gave was ever enough to be accepted and loved . . . .”

Caritas director Julianne Hickey has personally congratulated the winners of the competition.

The SINGout4JUSTICE competition for students is divided into a junior (Years 7-10) and senior section (Years  11-13), and the aim is to encourage young people to consider ways their song can express justice and peace.

Each winner also receives $500 in prizes, some of which will contribute to their musical
development.

“It’s important for us and decision-makers to hear the voices of youth on these topics,” Mrs Hickey said.

“SINGout4JUSTICE provides a platform for youth to share concerns on issues of importance
to them. We are delighted with the quality of entries in 2018, which display the awareness and concern of young people about contemporary issues of justice and peace.”

The winning songs can be heard on the Caritas website www.caritas.org.nz/singout4justice.

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NZ Catholic Staff

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