Hello all, this is Brian Lee, the founder of the National Writing Invitational. I wanted to thank every one of you for contributing to a project that will forever be the greatest thing I ever worked on throughout the rest of my life. Every single one of you is an amazing writer and I hope your passion for telling stories, crafting poems, and explaining why things continue to blossom or become intertwined with your other passions. 

Up above is the link for the third year of the competition and I highly encourage everyone to participate once again. Your writing is one of the most delightful things I have had the pleasure of reading and I hope it can also brighten other people this year and beyond. Thank you so much for contributing your time and efforts to the National Writing Invitational and I hope you all become amazing people in the future. 

To close things off for this year, here are the winners of this year's contest. This was quite possibly the most difficult thing I have ever been entrusted with doing and having to decide was agonizing because of the sheer quality of everyone's writing. These are the best among the best and I hope they delight you as much as they have delighted me.

Overall Best Story -

I want to see her again: Caroline Zhang

(11th Grade, East Ridge High School)

Overall Best Poem - 

We are human, are we not?: Claire Dayoun Kim 

(Seoul Foreign School, 12th Grade)

Overall Best Discovery Essay - 

Educere: Ezra Lee 

(Cambridge Rindage and Latin, 11th Grade)

Psychological Effects of Social Media: Seah Kim

(Whitmore Highschool, Tenth Grade)

Overall Best Scientific Essay -

Sustainability of Concrete: Sraosi Dey Upama

(Mitchell High School, Eleventh Grade)

Kids need more time to play!: Yolanda Pan

(Third Grade, Coyote Creek Elementary School)

Best Elementary School Story -

Everyone Matters: Minzhu Wen

(A.E Arnold Elementary, 6th Grade)

Best Elementary School Poem -

Corners: Maya Ghosh

(Ransom Everglades Middle School, 6th Grade)

Best Middle School Story - 

Infinite Dream: Sua Kim 

(Oxford Academy, 7th Grade)

Best Middle School Poem - 

Breaking Free: Aanya Sharma

(Cambridge High School, Eighth Grade)

Best High School Story - 

Of Starry Skies and Salty Snacks: Grace Wu

(Scarsdale High School, 11th Grade)

Best High School Poem - 

"Please, Help Me.": Hayley Rae Shaffer

(La Costa Canyon High School, Eleventh Grade)

 Once again, thank you all for being you and writing such beautiful pieces, and goodbye for now!