We are incredibly proud to announce that Ellanya in Lower V has been named one of the Top 15 winners of the Foyle Young Poets of the Year 2025 competition, selected from 28,344 entries across 135 countries.

Her poem, “The Girls Who Grow Antlers,” impressed judges with its originality and emotional depth. Ellanya described the moment she heard the news as “surreal and affirming.”

She attended the awards ceremony at the British Library in London and will now enjoy a week-long residential writing course at The Hurst in Shropshire. Her poem will also be published in a national anthology next spring.]

Click here to read all about her in BBC Berkshire

Ellanya was also interviewed by BBC Radio Berkshire. You can listen to the interview here at 12:25 and 28:45 minutes.

Congratulations Ellanya!