TAS Writers Honored in Creative Writing Prizes for Stories Exploring Identity, Memory, and Belonging

Several TAS students have been recognized in the 2025 Betty L. Yu and Jin C. Yu Creative Writing Prizes, an annual competition organized by TaiwaneseAmerican.org that celebrates creative work by students of Taiwanese Heritage, Taiwanese American descent, or those with meaningful ties to Taiwan. The awards aim to honor emerging writers while fostering dialogue and community around Taiwanese American experiences.  

TAS students earned distinctions across both Middle School and High School categories. Creative writing at TAS has continued to grow in recent years, with students increasingly exploring personal narratives, cultural identity, and lived experience through their work. 

The competition invites independent submissions from students and adults across multiple age groups, with entries reviewed by a panel of writers, editors, and community leaders. Winners and Finalists may have their work published online by TaiwaneseAmerican.org and considered for inclusion in future editions of Chrysanthemum: Voices of the Taiwanese Diaspora, providing young writers with a broader platform for their voices. 
 
Among this year’s honorees, Davina J. ‘25 received the Grand Prize in the High School category, while Valerie H. ‘26 earned Honorable Mention. In the Middle School Division, Alice K. ‘29 was awarded the Grand Prize, Christine L. ‘29 was named a Finalist, and Laurie F. ‘30 received an Honorable Mention. Their work explored themes ranging from cultural identity and family memory to adolescence, belonging, and personal reflection. 
 
Reflecting on her award-winning piece set in Tamsui, Alice described it as “a portrait of adolescence,” capturing the quiet moments that shape identity and growth. “Set by the riverside in Tamsui, the story follows a girl navigating exam stress, shifting friendships, family duty, and the quiet strength of home. I wanted the narrative to capture the honesty of growing up, because real life rarely fits into neat plans, and it’s often the quiet moments that shape who we become.” 

For Valerie, writing became a way to process grief and preserve memory following the loss of her grandfather. Her piece, What’s Taken, What Remains, reflects on Taiwanese funeral traditions and the emotional impact of loss. “I began writing this piece to process my feelings about losing a family member,” Valerie shared. “It became a way of appreciating the moments I did get to spend with my grandpa. Writing allowed me to hold on to those memories and make sense of something that was difficult to understand.” 

Christine’s poetry explored her experience as a Taiwanese American and her evolving sense of identity. “I wrote three poems, each about a piece of myself that I miss and long for,” she explained. “I wanted to show that there is no right or wrong way to belong, that identity is personal, and it can’t be defined by stereotypes.” 

Laurie’s short story similarly reflected the complexities of cultural identity, drawing from both personal experience and imagination. “My piece was about a girl who didn’t feel like she fully belonged, and how her memories shaped that feeling,” Laurie said. “Writing allows me to step into another world where I can explore my thoughts freely and express parts of myself I can’t always say aloud.” 

For many students, creative writing has become more than an academic exercise; it is a meaningful form of self-expression and reflection. Alice shared that her love of writing grew naturally from her love of reading. “My teachers, especially my English teachers, nurtured that love and encouraged me to explore creative work,” she said. “Over time, creative writing has helped me see everyday life more thoughtfully and express ideas in new ways.” 

The competition itself also fosters connection among writers. Each year, winners and finalists are invited to meet with acclaimed author Charles Yu, judges, and fellow writers in a virtual gathering to share their work and experiences. Alice reflected on the experience as deeply meaningful. “It was inspiring to meet other writers and hear their stories,” she said. “The community created by TaiwaneseAmerican.org shows how powerful it is to share and support one another through writing.” 

Students also recognized the supportive, creative environment within the TAS community. Valerie noted, “My teachers have always been incredibly supportive of my writing. Even when I was writing on my own, I felt encouraged. It’s an environment where creative writing can grow.” 

We are so proud of these students and their achievements. Their work reflects the powerful role storytelling plays in helping students develop empathy, self-awareness, and confidence, as well as the strength of the creative writing culture at TAS, where students are encouraged to reflect, express themselves, and share their stories. 

As we celebrate this year’s honorees, we are excited to share that submissions for the 2026 Creative Writing Prizes have just opened. We can’t wait to see the next wave of student creativity, reflection, and storytelling that will continue to shape our community.