The Bachelor of Creative and Professional Writing’s (BCPW) annual Flash Fiction contest continues to provide an avenue for talented young writers from across the province to show their writing chops while showcasing the strength of the Humber Polytechnic program.
This year’s contest was opened to Ontario high school students in all grades who were tasked with crafting a story of 250 words or less. The winners were selected by writers and faculty members David Brock, Kathy Friedman and Meaghan Strimas, who’s also the BCPW program coordinator and a professor for the program.
"I’m very impressed by this year's contest winners, and it always feels so good to read the excited responses of the students who've placed in the contest,” said Strimas. “We had submissions from students at every grade level from high schools in the GTA and beyond. The longlist alone included 10 different high schools. I hope these emerging writers keep using their unique talents to craft stories that surprise and entertain in the years to come."
Exit Sign by Martingrove Collegiate Institute student Madeleine Semple was the first-place winner with Just Half by Bishop Allen Academy student Kenya Sider finishing in second place.
Third place was Well-trodden Footsteps by Etobicoke Collegiate Institute student Claire Cabral and Preparing for Flight by Bill Hogarth Secondary School student Ashira Lam was fourth.
How an Addict Heals, with Help from a Monarch Butterfly by St. Roch Catholic Secondary School student Reinhart Resurreccion-Reyes came in fifth. Resurreccion-Reyes enrolled in the BCPW program this fall.
“I feel very honoured to be recognized for my piece of writing,” said Resurreccion-Reyes. “This inspired me to put more time into developing my craft as a writer and to push myself harder as I work towards my future writing career.”
Resurreccion-Reyes heard good things about the BCPW program and, after speaking with alumni of the program and faculty including Strimas, decided to enrol. Resurreccion-Reyes believes the program will improve his skills as a writer and creative and that it will prepare him for all manner of writing careers – whether it’s writing for movies, film, video games or musical theatre.
“I’m very passionate about the art of storytelling and drawing people into the worlds I’ve created,” said Resurreccion-Reyes. “The program really speaks to my creative passions.”
The winners receive $750 for first, $500 for second, $350 for third, $250 for fourth and $150 for fifth. All five will have their work showcased in a special online supplement of Arrival Magazine.
Receiving honorable mentions were Abeera Islam’s What’s for Dinner, Maa?; Will Hendry’s To the Snow; Ella Olszewska’s The Lock, Khadijah Salissou's Maiden Mother Crone and Sarah-Marie Scale’s Blue Ribbon Affairs.
The province-wide contest was created by Strimas to further build the Humber writing community by offering publication opportunities to emerging writers.
The BCPW program is designed to allow students to transform their passion for writing into a fulfilling career. As students develop creative writing skills that strengthen their storytelling abilities, they also learn how to craft targeted messages for social media platforms, manage creative projects and write and edit web copy.
It also includes an industry-connected work placement and the benefit of one-on-one mentorship in the final semester.
Find out more by visiting the BCPW program website.