2026 Young Authors Contest Winners Announced
Altrusa International of Tucson is proud to announce the winners of the 2026 Young Authors Contest, a program that continues to grow in both participation and literary excellence across Southern Arizona.
Each year, students in grades K–12 submit original fictional stories and poems. Entries come from public, private, charter, and home-schooled students throughout the region. The contest celebrates imagination, strong storytelling, and the courage it takes to put creative work into the world.
This year’s judging process reflected the quality of the submissions.
A Thoughtful and Anonymous Judging Process
Stories and poems were first scored independently by Altrusa members. Finalists were then discussed in person during an extended judging session hosted at the home of Altrusa President Elda Lopez.
To ensure fairness, all entries were reviewed anonymously. Judges did not see student names or schools during deliberations, preventing any bias toward previous winners or familiar programs.
After more than five hours of thoughtful discussion, Altrusans faced an unexpected challenge: narrowing an exceptional field of finalists. The writing was simply too strong to reduce to the original cap. Ultimately, 26 winning entrees, by 20 young authors, were selected as winners — exceeding the planned limit.
With prize money now totaling $2,000, Treasurer Ann Banwell confirmed that the organization could stretch the budget to honor the additional talent.
2026 Young Authors Contest Winners
First Grade
Ariel Singerman, Ventana Vista — “Adventure of the Chickens”
Emmeline Knapp, Fruchthendler Elementary — “Bobcat Lives in Arizona”
Fourth Grade
Ezra Raney, Fruchthendler Elementary — “Wild Roller Coaster Ride”
Ariza Leon, Safford K-8 — Poem: “Loteria”
Fifth Grade
Tomi Marcus, Legacy NW — Double Winner
- “Jason Bounces Back”
- Poem: “Class Clown”
Mavon Keele, Academy of Tucson — “Little Sea Slug”
Lily Polk, Homeschooled — Double Winner
- “Willow’s Wisdom”
- Poem: “Contrasting Beauty”
Sixth Grade
Elizabeth Gonzales, Ironwood Elementary — Double Winner
- “Wolves”
- Poem: “In This Softball Story”
Seventh Grade
Declan Riches, Emily Gray Junior High — “A Lesson from Walt Disney”
Yunming Ray Chan, Dodge Traditional Magnet — “Cubeland”
Aaron Li, Basis Oro Valley — “Dragon’s Call”
Tobi Marcus, Legacy Traditional NW — Poem: “Eyes on the Prize”
Eighth Grade
Raina Pike, Cross Middle School — Double Winner
- “Bittersweet”
- Poem: “A Sickness of Black”
Aliana Vargas, Wheeler Taft Abbett Sr. Library — “The Yellow Box”
Ninth Grade
Jenisha Timsina, Basis Tucson North — “Crossroad”
Tenth Grade
Ysrael Hernandez, ASU Digital Prep — Double Winner
- “905”
- Poem: “The Armchair Critic in My Head”
Eleventh Grade (Junior)
Alyssa Lemire, Andrade Polytech — Double Winner
- “Scratching”
- Poem: “My Strange Date”
Kenya Patino, University High School — Poem: “First Generation”
Emma Kokes, Tanque Verde High School — Poem: “Hivemind”
Twelfth Grade (Senior)
Brielle J. Hass, Ironwood Ridge High School — “I’m Scared”
Winners represent a wide range of schools and grade levels across Southern Arizona, from first grade through high school seniors. Their stories explore adventure, resilience, imagination, history, humor, identity, and personal reflection. Their poems range from playful to powerful, from lyrical to deeply thoughtful.
What unites them all is originality.
Contest rules require that all submissions be entirely student-created. The focus remains on authentic voice, creative storytelling, and positive engagement with language. The result is a collection of work that reflects not only talent, but confidence.
A Record Year of Double Winners
Not surprisingly, several students returned to the winner’s circle. Even more remarkable, six students earned recognition in both categories — poetry and story — an impressive accomplishment that highlights both range and depth of talent.
This year’s double winners are:
- Tomi Marcus
- Lily Polk
- Elizabeth Gonzales
- Raina Pike
- Ysrael Hernandez
- Alyssa Lemire
Their ability to succeed in two different forms of writing speaks to creativity, discipline, and voice.
Honoring Young Writers at the Tucson Festival of Books
The 2026 Young Authors Contest winners will be honored at the Tucson Festival of Books, March 14–15, 2026, at the University of Arizona. The Young Authors will receive their awards on March 14 at the Main Stage.
In April, after the anthologies have been published, Altrusa will host a celebration for the winners and their families. The gathering will include refreshments, author readings, and the presentation of the printed anthology featuring their work.
For Altrusa International of Tucson, the contest is more than a competition. It is an investment in literacy, creativity, and the pride that comes from seeing one’s words in print.
And this year, the future of storytelling in Southern Arizona looks especially bright.