Stellar Submissions

Below are some exemplars of award-winning submissions from 2026. These students received a 100% score from the judges who read their pieces and had high praise for the quality of writing.

Each submission below is a response to the prompt for the 2026 awards, titled “Good Trouble.”

*These examples are meant to be used as inspiration to teachers and their students for the purposes of this award and to showcase the excellent work of these students. Please do not share or copy these students’ work improperly.*

Emma Chan

Judges called Emma’s work a ” lovely, creative poem.”

Emma Chan is a middle school student who believes words can inspire understanding and change. She enjoys creative writing, seeing it as a meaningful way to share ideas and perspectives. Outside of writing, Emma participates in the orchestra, plays the violin, enjoys art and literature, and takes part in academic competitions.

Emma Heisel

Wrote one judge: “your story is a haunting and deeply researched piece of historical fiction.”

Emma Heisel is an avid reader, loves art, and is passionate about writing. She is a member of her school’s color guard team and in her free time enjoys spending time with her friends, family, and dog, Lucy.

Saanvi Lanke

“The elevated language and flow of ideas pulled me right in as a reader.”

Saanvi Lanke is a student writer, advocate, and youth leader from Rockville, MD, who is passionate about using storytelling and policy to create meaningful change. Through advocacy, competitive public forum debate, and student leadership, Lanke works to amplify youth voices and foster more inclusive communities. She views writing as both a creative outlet and a form of advocacy, using it to explore identity, social issues, and personal experiences in ways she hopes will resonate with others and inspire change.