Congratulations to the 2026 Anthology Contest Winners!

The 2026 Contest is now concluded! Below please find a list of all the finalists. Stay tuned as we create the 2026 Anthology, we will be having an event to celebrate its completion and honor the winners!

Student Writing

CATEGORY: Short Story

Short Story Excellence Award, Mayor’s Excellence Award

Jackson Smoke, The Summer of Blood, Chapter 1

CATEGORY: POETRY

First Place

Ty Scalabrin, On the Edge

Second Place

Trinity Schenk Williams, The Knot That Holds Me

Third Place

Addison Ullrich, After a Snow Day

Adult Writing

CATEGORY: NON-FICTION

First Place

Christine Inglis, Orange Clothes and Guacamole Bellbottoms

Second Place

Kathleen Moss, Accepting Impermanence

Third Place

D. Lou Raymond, Plum Endings

CATEGORY: FICTION

First Place

James Scott, Noted in Passing

Second Place

Teresa Johns, In My Dreams

Third Place

Joe Smith, Ball and Chain

CATEGORY: POETRY

First Place

Shannon Perry Gilroy, Kintsugi

Second Place

Breanna Goodman, Invisible Tears

Third Place

Anndell Thompson, Seeds

CATEGORY: MUSIC LYRICS

First Place TIE

Nik Xandir Wolf, Road Alone

Robin McDonald, The Story of Our Lives

Student Art Winners

1st Ellianna Baker

2nd Christine Vo

3rd Ellianna Baker

Adult Art Winners

1st Eduardo Cruz Torres

2nd (tie) Krystle Duke

2nd (tie) Jaimie Adams

3rd Krystle Duke