The Wodonga writer competed against four others for a spot in the Victorian state finals of the 2016 Australian poetry slam competition.

Mrs Shepherd’s story – adopted from Sri Lanka at eight weeks old and moving to Victoria after her mother died of cancer – won her the title of the Wodonga heat.

“I’ve been writing poetry all my life but this was my first time doing this – my legs were shaking,” she said.

“Growing up, poetry was what got me through a lot of difficult experiences, it’s an outlet.”

Mrs Shepherd will head to the State Library of Victoria on Friday, September 2 in a bid to secure a place in the national finals, where a $11,000 prize is up for grabs.

She will be joined in Melbourne by Wangaratta High School year 8 student Charlotte Mullens, who landed second place.

It will be the 14-year-old’s second attempt at the state finals after placing in the top five in October.

“The atmosphere was so supportive … everything you say is taken in and it’s just such an amazing experience,” she said.

Larisa and Charlotte were judged winners at the Wodonga Library on Tuesday by five randomly-selected members of the audience.

Event co-ordinator Michelle Dabrowski said the process was keeping in line with the origins of slam.

“The whole idea was you don’t have to be academic to have an opinion about poetry,” she said.

“There’s all these stereotypes about poetry and slam … the truth is, it’s an incredible opportunity for community and connection.”