The trials that define us

Winning authors edify readers with life's prying questions

What defines who we are? Is it the actions we make under the duress of a frightening, unfamiliar situation? Is it how we challenge society's sometimes flawed conventions? Or is it our ability to bounce back from tragedy and loss to enjoy the beautiful things in life once again? Through the often painful trials of its characters, the winning stories of the Palo Alto Weekly's 27th Annual Short Story Contest offer insight into the deeper questions we've all asked of ourselves.

First Place
Marc Vincenti
Encounter

Second Place
Barbara Evans
Painting Room

Third Place
Jane Moorman
Captive Bred Birds

Children 9-11

First Place
Julie Meng
Music for Life

Second Place
Chloe Kim
Journal of a Book

Third Place
Dori Filppu
Into Their Dreams

Teen 12-14

First Place
Nicole Knauer
Bittersweet Notes

Second Place
Jacky Moore
Escape to America

Third Place
Caroline Bailey
The Vanishing Box

Young Adult 15-17

First Place
Andrew Briggs
First, Do No Harm

Second Place
Valerie Taylor
On Driving

Third Place
Gemma Guo
Paper Airplanes

Short Story Contest judges

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