identity

Story·Clara Gluzdov — A cat named Ivy wishes to become human to play piano with her beloved owner Dahlia, but when her wish comes true, she discovers the painful cost of transformation and...

Poetry·Saketh Lingisetty — A young poet questions their abilities and identity through metaphors of fullness, loops, and tilting tables, ultimately affirming their excellence despite uncertainty.

Story·Sarah Iwanaga — A young wolf befriends a human boy despite pack warnings, discovers his father made the same choice years ago, and must decide between two worlds.

Story·Jaxton Goertzen — An alien student named Gooby finds a rare ancient coin that magically traps his hand in a fist, threatening his chance to become the first alien on the basketball team.

Personal Narrative·Sophie Li — A girl races classmates to determine relay order, but when she beats the 'perfect' girl, her competitor lies about the result, leaving the truth unresolved.

Story·Riley Killen — A teen guitarist battles stage fright through two performances, finding courage with help from family and an unexpected friend who gives her a purple guitar pick.

Poetry·Lily Guttermuth — A student reflects on the emotional toll of wearing masks at school, feeling caged and self-conscious, ultimately ashamed of their own face.

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·Shivanshi Dutt — A speaker seeks refuge in the art room, a space where they can exist without intrusion, where silence protects solitude and there's finally room for the self.

Poetry·Shivanshi Dutt — A girl reflects on her name change from Anusha to Shivanshi in preschool, and the various nicknames that mark different relationships in her life.