Youth Writing Contest 2024 Winners Announced

Surrey Libraries is pleased to announce and congratulate the winners of the 2024 Surrey Libraries Youth Writing Contest, an annual writing competition for youth aged 12-18.  

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 over 8,000 entries from aspiring young writers from across Surrey. The winners were celebrated at an Awards Gala on October 16. 

“This contest means a lot to me because it made me feel proud and helped me gain self-esteem in my work,” said Grace Ding, first place winner in Senior Short Story and second place in Comics. “My advice for future contestants is to be confident in what you create…everyone starts somewhere, so don’t overthink it.”  

“The entries this year were outstanding in both their number and their excellence,” said Tricia Green, Youth Services Librarian and contest coordinator. “It’s incredibly uplifting to see the talent, passion, and bravery shown by these young writers and artists from Surrey.” 

“I absolutely love writing and feel so incredibly grateful for this opportunity that has allowed me to discover and share a piece of myself,” said Lucy Prior, awarded Honourable Mention in Junior Short Story. “I believe in the power words have to connect, empower, and inspire people. I love that this contest helps people find their words and gives them the gift of sharing them.” 

This popular program is organized by Surrey Libraries staff and is made possible through the generous support of sponsors, including champion sponsors Khalsa Credit Union, Kwantlen Polytechnic University and Surrey International Writers’ Conference.  

An anthology of the winners’ work will be available to borrow from library branches and on sale for $8.00 at the beginning of November. 

Youth Writing Contest Winners 2024:  

Junior Short Story 

First Prize: Seerit Khangura 

Second Prize: Jia Lu Hai 

Third Prize:  Jolene Zhang 

Honourable Mention: Lucy Prior 

Honourable Mention: Chahaat Bains 

Senior Short Story 

First Prize: Grace Ding 

Second Prize: Annika Gill 

Third Prize: Andrei Ichiro Requinto 

Honourable Mention: Rifana Saleem Khan 

Junior Poetry 

First Prize: Anna Goode 

Second Prize: Alessandra Abia 

Third Prize: Myreen Randhawa 

Honourable Mention: Andrey Tokarev 

Honourable Mention: Poonam Dhillon 

Senior Poetry 

First Prize: Michelle Masood 

Second Prize: Clary Chow 

Third Prize: Sienna Chow 

Honourable Mention: Selen Al-Shuaibi 

Honourable Mention: Annika Gill 

Comics 

First Prize: Sophia Ng 

Second Prize: Grace Ding 

Third Prize: Esther Dain Yeong 

Honourable Mention: Japji Sandhu 

Honourable Mention: Sukhman Kambo 

Random 

First Prize: Renata Mustafa 

Second Prize: Diya Karthik 

Third Prize: Jocelyn Mui 

Honourable Mention: Luciana Tilgner 

Honourable Mention: Esther Dain Yeong