Pilar to Michigan for the Future Problem Solving Internationals

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Hello New Zealand! I am your Junior Division Scenario Writer Representative attending the FPS International Conference in Michigan, 2016.

To the rest of the world, Tena Koutou!

My name is Pilar Cruz. I come from Auckland, New Zealand. I have a fiery passion for writing- I absolutely love it. I leap at the opportunity to write, write, write. I am a budding novelist, currently writing my first series.

For the past two years, my class at Northcross Intermediate has had the opportunity to enter the Future Problem Solving (FPS) Scenario Writing competition (for more information on this great programme, click the link: http://www.fpspi.org/) In this competition, we are given an identified “Future Problem” and tasked to write a 1500 word scenario about it, set at least forty years into the future. This year, our topic was Propaganda.

My piece, "The Elysium of Freedom" (read it here: http://fpsinternationals.blogspot.com.au/ ) was one of many stories submitted to a national pool for marking against the Scenario Writing Criteria. The winning scenarios had to have well developed, authentic characters; clear control of grammar and punctuation; the knowledge of the topic well incorporated into the story; creative and futuristic thinking; developed ideas; and a clear, distinctive style/voice.

Well after what felt like a long wait, the results came out and I was chosen to represent Northcross Intermediate for Scenario Writing at the FPS Nationals 2015, alongside eight other talented writers from different schools across New Zealand!

I couldn’t have been more excited. I attended Nationals last October where I participated in an On-Site Scenario Writing Competition and was awarded Best On-Site Scenario Writer. Our team of 3 also was awarded Best Onsite Scenario writing team.

This was quite an achievement for me, but there was still bigger news to come!

You see, on the first of November, we received news that " The Elysium of Freedom" had won First Place in the Junior Division, making me the 2015 Junior Division New Zealand Champion for Scenario Writing.

I now have the opportunity to represent not just my school, but New Zealand at the FPS Internationals next year in Michigan!

To get to Internationals, we need to pay for all flights, logistics and conference accommodation. My FPS coach is unable to come and because the Competition rules require I be chaperoned, my mom (campaign organiser and no. 1 Fan!) will be coming along to cheer me on

Going to America and representing my country for something I am truly passionate about is a HUGE opportunity for me. Your support is invaluable- it would truly help me and my family, and set me up for an opportunity that may just change -- even shape the course-of my life.

Follow us on Twitter @pilarinmichigan for real-time updates and random awesome stuff we want to share with you.

We will be holding a pretty awesome raffle this April and will be selling tickets soon so please watch this space! We will also be at Pak N Save Greenfield on April 16 and May 7 & 8 for a Sausage Sizzle - do come along!

Nga Mihi, Thank you, Maraming Salamat!

Pilar Cruz