Helping girls to beat bullying wins NI award for Sarah

Helping girls to beat bullying wins NI award for Sarah

10 September 2014

A CASTLEWELLAN student hoping to carve out a career in the performing arts has been presented with a grant in memory of murdered schoolboy Thomas Devlin.

Nineteen year-old Sarah King, who is a year 14 student at Assumption Grammar School, was last week presented with a bursary from the Thomas Devlin Foundation, which will allow her to stage a production for her school’s GCSE performing arts class this autumn.

There was stiff competition for the annual award, which is offered by the foundation in memory of 15 year-old Thomas who dreamt of a career in the performing arts before his tragic death in 2005.

Sarah is now working on a for a play to highlight bullying. It will be performed by GCSE students as part of their coursework.

Although Sarah is thrilled to have been selected for the award, she says she is now working against the clock to ensure the production is as professional as possible.

“My idea is to empower girls to deal with bullying and to do that through drama,” she said.

“I am very lucky to be able to work with Lisa May, who is the creative director of Bruiser Theatre Company, and also Lee Kane, who is regional director of the anti-bullying forum.

“We are very fortunate at Assumption that everybody looks after everybody else but we do have a collective responsibility to make sure bullying does not happen.

“I spoke to Thomas Devlin’s parents when I went to receive the award last week and they said they thought it was so important to foster tolerance and acceptance.

“This is an amazing opportunity I have been given.”

Sarah, who is hoping to secure a place on a Physical Theatre and Performing Arts Degree course in Liverpool next year, said is determined to have a career in the industry despite the competition.

“I have been a member of Newcastle Glee Singers since I was seven and every day after school I am involved in music and drama. It is what I love,” she said.

Sarah’s play will be performed during National Anti-Bullying Week in November.