Roy Oborne, a grade-six student from St. Elias Community School, has won Ripple Foundation’s Kids Write 4 Kids annual writing competition and will become a published author
Ripple Foundation, a national youth-education charity with a goal of cultivating the next generation’s creative literacy skills, recently announced that Roy Oborne, a grade-six student from Haines Junction, Yukon, was one of the winners of its annual Kids Write 4 Kids (KW4K) creative writing challenge. Oborne will become a published author and donate 100 per cent of book sales to the Canadian Cancer Society.
A judging panel—composed of 12 authors, avid readers, previous winners and editors and included the award-winning children’s book author Ekiuwa Aire, and the Globe and Mail children’s book columnist Jeffrey Canton—selected Oborne’s One in the Wilderness to debut as one of this year’s two winning titles.
“I am grateful and appreciative to represent my family and community by trying my best,” commented Oborne. “I have always enjoyed writing, and it’s thanks to my teacher that I have been confident to continue my writing journey.”
Speaking to What’s Up Yukon, Ivy Wong (Founder, Ripple Foundation) said that winners from smaller regions can be a source of pride and inspiration for their communities.
“It showcases the talent and creativity present in these communities and highlights the potential for success in the literary field,” Wong continued. “It encourages other young writers in the community to pursue their passion for writing and storytelling, knowing that they, too, can achieve recognition and have their voices heard.
“Additionally, it raises awareness about the importance of supporting local talent and providing opportunities for young people to showcase their skills.”
The KW4K competition is open to students in grades four to eight, across Canada. It is free to enter, to ensure equal opportunities for all aspiring young writers. Contestants are encouraged to submit their original stories to “showcase their unique voices, creativity and storytelling abilities,” according to Wong.
“Children and youth literacy brings numerous benefits to individuals and communities,” said Wong. “It enhances communication skills, expands knowledge and vocabulary and improves critical-thinking abilities. Literacy also nurtures creativity, self-expression and imagination. Communities can encourage children and youth to write by providing them with access to books, creating supportive environments for writing and sharing stories, organizing writing workshops or clubs and recognizing and celebrating their writing achievements.
“Promoting the joy of reading and writing, as lifelong pursuits, and highlighting the value of storytelling can inspire young individuals to engage in writing activities.”
The KW4K winning books are illustrated by Kendra Heer, an Emily Carr University of Art & Design student, and will be available to purchase this month.
“Programs like Kids Write 4 Kids have the potential to make a significant impact on the literary world,” said Wong. “We at Ripple Foundation hope to nurture and cultivate the next generation of storytellers and authors through such programs.”
According to Ripple Foundation, 23 authors have been discovered, and over 3,800 literary creations have been submitted to KW4K since launching in 2012. The next contest will open on October 1, 2023.
“Our aim is to inspire creativity, foster a love for reading and writing and promote the importance of literacy among children and youth,” said Wong. “We hope to see young individuals gaining confidence in their writing abilities, sharing their stories with a wider audience and making a positive impact on society through their writing.
“These programs contribute to creating a future where young people have the skills and confidence to express themselves and engage in meaningful storytelling.”All books in the Ripple Foundation library are available in paperback and ebook formats and can be purchased at kidswrite4kids.ripplefoundation.ca/books.
