SURREY Libraries on Friday announced the winners of the 2022 Surrey Libraries Youth Writing Contest, an annual writing competition for youth aged 12-18.

“I’m so incredibly grateful for this opportunity, and the acknowledgment of my work,” said Ruby Parker, winner of third place in Senior Short Story and honourable mention in Senior Poetry. “I often write in the middle of the night after being woken by nightmares, as a way to cope. This writing contest has literally given my deepest thoughts and fears a platform to connect with others.”

The contest, which is free to enter, gives an opportunity for young writers to submit entries to 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 close to 8,000 entries from aspiring young writers from across Surrey. The winners were acknowledged at an Awards Gala on October 12.

“We were deeply impressed by the number and quality of entries we received this year,” said Michael Hunc, Public Services Librarian and contest coordinator. “It is inspiring to see the level of talent, passion, and courage demonstrated by young Surrey writers and artists.”

“This contest was an opportunity for me; a way for me to get my work assessed by more experienced writers and critics,” said Rishabh Gandhi, winner of third place in Junior Short Story. “I know I still have a long journey ahead of me but now, I have the confidence to keep on writing!”

This popular program is organized by the Surrey Libraries staff and is made possible through the support of champion sponsors Khalsa Credit Union and Kwantlen Polytechnic University.

An anthology of the winners’ work will be available to borrow from library branches or for purchase for $8 at the end of October.

YOUNG ADULT WRITING CONTEST Winners 2022:

Junior Short Story

First Prize: An Unexpected Beginning by Camden Batenburg

Second Prize: In My Memory by Clary Chow

Third Prize: Grandpa’s Dream by Rishabh Gandhi

Honourable Mention: Down South by Celina Qu

Senior Short Story

First Prize: The Interior of a Filipino Kitchen by Geoff Petines

Second Prize: Chicken Soup by Audrey Kemp

Third Prize: Walking as a Woman by Ruby Parker

Honourable Mention: Buy a Heart by Adella Teja

Junior Poetry

First Prize: flow as a river Clary Chow

Second Prize: Dementia by Camden Batenburg

Third Prize: Harvest by Yuan Li

Honourable Mention: A Star for Ma by Sienna Chow

Honourable Mention: The Course of Spring by Puneet Dhaliwal

Senior Poetry

First Prize: Tongue by Carolyn Hu

Second Prize: Stitches by Audrey Kemp

Third Prize: i am growing up in the past by Gurleena Sukhija

Honourable Mention: Ai of the Valley by Sophie Choong

Honourable Mention: Nyctophobia by Ruby Parker

Comics

First Prize: Just A Letter by Sukhman Kambo

Second Prize: The Return of Stick Guy by Seth Corbett

Third Prize: Beneath the Glow of the Fireflies by Elizabeth Kovacik

Honourable Mention: Nostalgia by Annie Huang

Random

First Prize: What is Your Soul Worth by Rachael Le

Second Prize: A Fractured Home by Carolyn Hu

Third Prize: Belongings by Richard Su

Honourable Mention: C’est La Vie by Ashmeen Mann

Honourable Mention: A Guide to Advanced Cloud Watching by Emmy Schulz