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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.

Poetry·Analise Braddock, age 10 — A child vows to keep a secret forever, measuring that promise against apocalyptic visions of environmental destruction and the end of the world.

Personal Narrative·Olivia Choi, age 12 — A five-year-old devastated by her family's move from California to New York City gradually discovers unexpected joys in her new home, including Central Park and snow.

Personal Narrative·Ia Sofocleous, age 11 — On the last day of fourth grade, a girl says goodbye to her best friend who is moving to Israel, clinging to the promise they'll be pen pals.

Poetry·Necla Asveren, age 12 — After humanity reaches for the stars and drowns in riches, survivors emerge from bunkers to find a transformed world with golden moons and purple grass.

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.

Poetry·Woody Szydlik, age 12 — A student calculates how to spend the six minutes before online math class, watching pedestrians replace morning birds while time takes on new meaning.

Personal Narrative·Lila Carpenter, age 11 — A girl struggles with anger and sadness as she helps her sister move into a college apartment in Bar Harbor, finding clarity by the ocean.

Poetry·Grace Zhuang, age 6 — A young poet captures summer through garden flowers, beach dresses, and ocean waves, ending with a wish for the season to stay.

Poetry·Pei-Ying Olsen, age 9 — A mysterious sound transforms cursed grounds into a place of beauty, paralyzing yet awakening the speaker through its symphonic power.