The winners of an annual CedarBridge Academy writing contest inspired by influential women were announced this week.Female students were asked to write about their interests, goals and how they intend to achieve them, as part of the Life Mission Statement Competition.The competition is part of the senior school’s annual 100 Women on Campus event.Held last month, the annual event allows female students to meet with women from all walks of life and learn from their experience.Bridgette Nelson, one of co-ordinators for the Mission Statement Competition said: “A powerful message that these young ladies have echoed through their statements is that as teenagers and future leaders, they are defiant about not being defined by the boundaries of society, and the circumstance which may face them, but are willing to rise above and proclaim themselves as women of excellence. “Taking top honours in the S1 category was Sophia Hamilton, Aaliyah Cole won in S2, Zaakira Lee won in S3 and DiNesha DeSilva won in S4.Ms DeSilva wrote: “Upon completion of high school, my dream is for my father to see me enter university and earn my master’s degree in accounting. I understand that in order for me to become the best, I have to practice. Nothing in life comes easy.“There will be challenges in my way that I will have to face; but I am adamant that they will be nothing that I cannot overcome because the inner strength that lives within me will propel me into overcoming any obstacle that is placed before me.“I strongly believe my Island needs an intelligent, honest and highly-motivated individual like me to demonstrate that no matter what your background is, or your feelings towards life’s challenges, it is nothing in comparison to the rewards earned in due time if you persevere, stay strong and believe in your life.“Life for me has been no fairytale yet I will still find a way to make a happy ending.”English teacher Denise Weeks said she was “extremely impressed by the articulate way in which the students communicated their life plans”.“This is testimony to the fact that our students are mindful of where they want to be in the future,” she said.