growing up

Personal Narrative·Kayla Song — A young dancer reflects on how ballet has shaped her emotional awareness and ability to express feelings that words cannot capture, celebrating dance as authentic human connection.

Poetry·Sophia Famolari, age 9 — A poem traces a plant's journey from sprout breaking through soil to flower blooming in sunlight, celebrating each stage of growth.

Personal Narrative·Claire Pan, age 11 — An eight-year-old navigates her first solo bus ride, ice-skating camp, and the small victories of a shy kid finding courage in new experiences.

Story·Evelyn Mealer, age 9 — A gymnast who loses her love for the sport after her favorite coach retires discovers she's a talented runner and makes it to the Olympic trials.

Personal Narrative·Augusta Koch-Cochrane, age 12 — A nervous rider at a Halloween Horse Show discovers that personal accomplishment and encouraging others matters more than winning first place.

Story·Raya Ilieva, age 10 — Two best friends in a small Florida town face their first real conflict when Oscar starts hanging out with the popular boys instead of taking their daily walks together.

Personal Narrative·Lara Fraenkel, age 11 — A girl traces her evolving understanding of clouds from childhood fantasies of cotton candy and fairies to learning the water cycle in school, finding wonder in scientific truth.

Poetry·Sim Ling Thee, age 13 — A thirteen-year-old discovers her first white hair and spirals through denial, envy, and fear before finding acceptance and a renewed sense of purpose.

Story·Nora Heiskell, age 12 — Katrina's life changes when she befriends Mr. McCumber, a lonely old man, and later finds herself in an orphanage where she forms a chosen family with other orphaned girls.

Story·Brennan Cameron, age 10 — After a fire destroys their farm's crops and orchard, Oscar must decide whether to sell his beloved foal Rose to help his family survive the winter.