SURREY Libraries has announced and congratulated the winners of the 2026 Surrey Libraries Youth Writing Contest, an annual writing competition for youth aged 12-18.
The contest, which is free to enter, gives young writers an opportunity to submit entries in one of four categories: short stories, poems, comics, and a random category for other types of writing such as essays, screenplays, or song lyrics. Since launching the contest in 1987, Surrey Libraries has received over 9,000 entries from aspiring young writers across Surrey. The winners were celebrated at an Awards Gala on October 14.
“Write the piece that makes you feel something, not the piece you think a judge wants to read.” said Angela Xiao, awarded First Place in Senior Short Story. “Your real, honest voice is always going to be the most interesting thing on the page.”
“Year after year, this contest showcases the remarkable creativity, imagination, and talent of Surrey’s young people,” said Lisa Werring, Chair of the Board of Trustees at Surrey Libraries. “These young writers are telling powerful stories, exploring important ideas, and sharing perspectives that deserve to be heard. Surrey Libraries is proud to provide a welcoming space where their voices can flourish.”
“Participating in this contest reminded me to always make room in my life for the things I love,” said Mei Ming, awarded Second Place in Senior Short Story.
This popular program is organized by Surrey Libraries staff and is made possible through the generous support of sponsors, including champion sponsors CUPE 402 and 402-02 Surrey City Workers and Surrey Library Workers, and Khalsa Credit Union.
An anthology of the winners’ work will be available to borrow from library branches and on sale for $8 in early November.
THE WINNERS
* Junior Short Story
First Prize: Coco Zhang
Second Prize: Manreet Dhillon
Third Prize: Hanisha Yelleti
Honourable Mention: Ashleen Saini
Honourable Mention: Zoha Awan
* Senior Short Story
First Prize: Angela Xiao
Second Prize: Mei Ming
Third Prize: Clary Chow
Honourable Mention: Jahmauri Inimgba
Honourable Mention: Sam Fehr
* Junior Poetry
First Prize: Myreen Randhawa
Second Prize: Ashleen Saini
Third Prize: Anna Goode
Honourable Mention: Shannon Zhu
Honourable Mention: Asmin Chawla
* Senior Poetry
First Prize: Poonam Dhillon
Second Prize: Khrystine Calaramo
Third Prize: Rosaline Lo
Honourable Mention: Lucy Prior
Honourable Mention: Aarush Bharadwaj Kari
* Comics
First Prize: Remi Nguyen
Second Prize: Portia Hampton
Third Prize: Brendan Chung
Honourable Mention: Robert Linton
* Random
First Prize: Emily Wang
Second Prize: Lap Phan
Third Prize: Myreen Randhawa
Honourable Mention: Reemas Al Shhadat
Honourable Mention: Poonam Dhillon
