BY GLENN PHAIR
On the evening of Thursday 9th November the eagerly awaited book "I Caught Fire" was finally launched, at Share Arts Centre, Lisnaskea.
The book was part of a Sliabh Beagh cross-community project between four schools in the Sliabh Beagh district; Fivemiletown High School, St Eugene's Rosslea, St Comhghall's Lisnaskea, and Lisnaskea High School.
Teenagers aged 14-17 from the four schools involved were asked to take pictures, create artwork and compile pieces of writing to sum up what the life of an adolescent is really like, and they didn't disappoint, as an incredible amount of work was submitted. The best of the work went into "I Caught Fire."
Heather Brett, a known poet, travelled to the four schools, providing inspiration to the students for a number of pieces that are printed in the book, and edited it too. Students were also asked to fill out opinion polls on topics like school dinners, marriage and their preferred methods for ending relationships, with some very interesting and amusing replies!
On the night two students from each of the four schools read out some of their own work; this included creative writing and poetry. Donna Bannon, the arts co-ordinator for Sliabh Beagh and who made the whole book possible, spoke about her role and she deserves a lot of credit for the amount of work she put into it. Heather and Donna both played down the parts they played but they did put a lot of time and effort into he book. The artwork and photographs were on display and the book, only out of the printers the previous day, went on sale. The "Poetry Chicks" from Londonderry provided the entertainment and their unbelievable way of expressing their emotions was truly gripping.
Victoria Neely, Fivemiletown High School, created an amazing piece of artwork and this was chosen for the front cover of the book.
The teens were asked what they thought the book should be called, but after a poll in all four schools, the eye-catching title "I Caught Fire" was the stand out favourite, thought up of by sixteen year-old Glenn Phair of Lisnaskea High School.
The students were grateful for such a wonderful once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to display their feelings and send the Sliabh Beagh their many thanks. Anyone offered a chance like this should grab it, as chances like these won't come up very often.
