AN OKEHAMPTON College student has been highly commended in the country?s most prestigious essay-writing competition for sixth-form students of history. Emily Winter entered an essay on Henry VIII and the English Reformation into the Vellacott history competition at Peterhouse College, Cambridge. Peterhouse, the oldest of the Cambridge Colleges, runs the fiercely-fought competition ? with a first prize of £500 - each year. Head of History at Okehampton College Paul Smith said: ?The essay had to be entirely Emily?s own work. ?She had to do her own research and argue a case. In the letter she received from the college, the judges particularly praised the clarity of her writing and the way she analysed issues.? Emily will receive her award at Peterhouse?s arts open day on July 5, when she will be able to look around that and other colleges of the university. She is now hoping to apply to Cambridge to study history next year.
