Since 1998

The Lakefield Literary Festival has proudly organized a Young Writers Contest,
open to secondary school students throughout our region.
Entries in various categories are received and judged by our expert panel.
Winners are announced and prizes awarded each June.

Contest Winners

To read a recent winning piece of writing, click on the student’s name

2026

(No Winner): Senior Fiction
Leen Radi Aburayyan: Senior Nonfiction
Lily-May Borges: Senior Poetry
Jordyn Yates: Junior Fiction
Jordyn McMahon: Junior Nonfiction
Fisher Kernohan: Junior Poetry Winner

2025

Sophie Wigglesworth: Senior Fiction
Grace Gavard: Senior Nonfiction
Alexis De Roose: Senior Poetry
Laura Oakes: Junior Fiction
Susie Wang: Junior Nonfiction
Susie Wang: Junior Poetry

2024

Eunsae Lee: Senior Fiction
Eunsae Lee: Senior Nonfiction
Kellan MacKenzie: Senior Poetry
Rachel Pei: Junior Fiction
Summer Jackson: Junior Nonfiction
Rachel Pei: Junior Poetry

Through the Years

The eBook is an online document containing a history of the Young Writers contest and a copy of every winning piece since its inception in 1998.

Open the 2026 eBook

The Lucille Strath Award

This award is in recognition of writing that reflects the values and adventurous spirit of a long-time friend of the festival and the Young Writers Contest, Lucille Strath.

The 2026 award winner is:
Stella Johnston, Grade 12, Lakefield College School