A FORMER Haygrove pupil has won a prestigious national award for an essay she penned on American writers.

Anna Lane, 18, from Bridgwater, won the British Association for American Studies Ambassador's School Award for 2014 for crafting the piece on how women challenged convention in 19th century America.

Her essay focussed on the works of Sarah Orne Jewett, Kate Chopin and Charlotte Perkins Gilman.

Anna, a student of English Literature, History and Religious Studies at Richard Huish College, said: “To be honest, I had completely forgotten that I'd sent the essay off and was really surprised to hear that I had won the competition.

“As I intend to spend the third year of my theology degree at a university in America, I am excited to take part in a celebration of American study and meet lecturers from the Universities of Harvard, Iowa State and Michigan.”

Anna will receive £250 in prize money and will be presented with the award at the University of Birmingham by Tom Leary from the US Embassy.

John Abbott, Richard Huish College principal, said: “We are extremely proud of Anna's achievement in gaining this highly prestigious award. It is a testament to her hard work and ability.”