National Essay Contest

C.A.C.A. 2026 National High School Essay Contest

Seattle Awards

First Place: Michelle Huang, Newport HS, grade 12

Second Place: Janet Leong, Inglemoor HS, grade 12

Runner-Up: Beikun Hu, North Creek HS, grade 11

Runner-Up: Cady Wu, Interlake HS, grade 11

National Awards

Third Place: Isabelle Charernruengkit, Skyline HS, grade 11

Awards of Merit: Cady Wu, Interlake HS, grade 11

Awards of Merit: Janet Leong, Inglemoor HS, grade 12

Awards of Merit: Michelle Huang, Newport HS, grade 12

Awards of Merit: Yeelin Fu, Eastlake HS, grade 9

PAST ESSAY CONTEST WINNERS

2025

Seattle Awards

First Place: Janet Leong, Inglemmoor HS, grade 11

Second Place: Michelle Huang (tie), Newport HS, grade 11

Second Place: Cady Wu (tie), Interlake HS, grade 10

Third Place: Christian Ha, Mercer Island HS, grade 12

Honorable Mention: Jayden Leong, Inglemoor HS, grade 9

2023

Seattle Winners

1. Susan Hong, Mount View High School, grade 12

2. Justin Li, Mercer Island High School, grade 11

3. Gavin Zhou, Issaquah High School, grade 11

4. Adam Kang, Summit Sierra High School, grade 11

National Awards

• National Honorable Mention

  • Justin Li, Mercer Island High School, grade 11

2022

Seattle Winners

1. Diane Sun, Interlake High School, grade 11

2. Sophia Zhang, International High School, grade 10

3. Tessa Han, Woodinville High School, grade 11

4. Gavin Zhou, Issaquah High School, grade 10

​National Awards

• National Honorable Mention

  • Diane Sun, Interlake High School, grade 11

  • Sophia Zhang, International High School, grade 10

  • Tessa Han, Woodinville High School, grade 11

2021

Seattle Winners

1. Carolyn Yee, Ingraham High School, grade 12

2. Sophia Zhang, Interlake High School, grade 10

3. Isabella Wang, Newport High School, grade 11

4. Gavin Zhou, Issaquah High School, grade 9

​National Awards

• National 1st Place - Carolyn Yee, Ingraham High School, grade 12​

2020

Seattle Winners

1. XinLin Choi, Bellevue High School, grade 12

2. Emily Chua, Interlake High School, grade 12

3. Carolyn Yee, Ingraham High School, grade 11

4. Gabe Edelman, Roosevelt High School, grade 9

2019

Seattle Winners

1. Emily Chua, Sammamish High School, grade 11

2. Liz Song, Lakeside School, grade 11

3. Bridget O'Hearn, Holy Names Academy, grade 11

4. Lianna Wu, Newport High School, grade 12

​National Awards

• National 3rd Place - Emily Chua, Sammamish High School, grade 11

• National Honorable Mention - Carolyn Yee, Ingraham High School, grade 10​

2018

Seattle Winners

1. Liz Song, Lakeside School, grade 10

2. Emily Chua, Arcadia Academy, grade 10

3. Carolyn Yee, Ingraham High School, grade 9

National Honorable Mention

• ​Emily Chua, Arcadia Academy, grade 10

2017

Seattle Winners

1. Liz Song, Lakeside School, grade 9

2. Nathanial Yee, Ingraham High School, grade 11

3. Brennan Chang, Roosevelt High School, grade 9

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2016

Seattle Winners

1. Alicia Liu, Newport High School, grade 10

2. Ann Shan, Garfield High School, grade 9

3. Derek Huang, Newport High School, grade 12

National Honorable Mention

• Jeffrey Ding, The Thatcher School, grade 10

• Derek Huang, Newport High School, grade 12

2015

1. Victoria Vong

2. Tianna Lee

3. Yoeur Man Teagan Mach

2014

Christina Huang, Seattle winner and 3rd place in National

2013

Christina Sun, Mercer Island High School, Seattle winner and 2nd place in National