A tremendous THANK YOU to all the participants who poured their creative minds into stories of freedom. You hit the mark, leaving judges with tears in their eyes, laughing out loud, struck with your linguistic skills, and captivated by your descriptions. Your stories demonstrated that freedom is central to our existence and takes endurance, courage, and sacrifice to uphold.

The award-winning stories speak of freedom from the perspective of the pandemic, faith, disability, and even animals. All of the entries penned from the creative minds of our youth are beacons of hope for the rest of us!

Winners for Age Category 9-12

1st Place – Elise N., Ontario, The Hen Who Escaped

2nd Place – Oriana W., Ontario, The White Peacock’s Freedom

3rd Place – Joshua G., Ontario, When Freedom Met Mandates

Runner-Up – Catherine T., Ontario, Home to the Herd

Honourable Mention:

Luke R., Ontario, The Reject Club

Grace J., Ontario, Flying Free

Levi J., Ontario, Freedom in the New World

Flora N., Ontario, The Meaning of Liberty

Josiah G.M., Ontario, Freedom in School

Lauren T., Ontario, Northbound

Kenan B., Quebec, The Freedom Treasure

Caite O.C., Ontario, To the Underground Railroad

Mylah J., Nova Scotia, The Dog Show

Jacob V., Alberta, The Price of Freedom

You can read the Freedom Short Stories for Age Category 9-12 here.

Winners for Age Category 13-16

1st Place – Elianna G., Ontario, Free Indeed

2nd Place – Natalie M., Ontario, The Chance of a Lifetime

3rd Place – Kilee G., Ontario, Imagine Freedom

Runner-Up – Kalia P., New Brunswick, Bird’s Eye View

Honourable Mention:

Annaliese B., Alberta, Liberation

Lydia K., Ontario, An Escape to Freedom

Lilyana P., New Brunswick, Caged

Kelsey B., Quebec, Free to Grow Tall and Strong

Juliette A., New Brunswick, Living for Freedom

Bethany V., Alberta, Power of Freedom

You can read the Freedom Short Stories for Age Category 13-16 here.

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