Local High School Students Invited to Compete for Laurier Stedman Prize

Wilfrid Laurier University’s Brantford campus has opened entries for the Laurier Stedman Prize, a creative writing competition aimed at local high school students. This biennial competition, established in 2018, is supported by a generous donation from the late Mary Stedman, who was a prominent figure in the Canadian literary community and served as managing director of Stedman’s Bookstore Ltd. for nearly 25 years.

The competition is administered by the university’s English program, which seeks to honour Stedman’s commitment to arts and culture. According to Lisa Wood, the English program coordinator and associate professor, Stedman’s legacy includes significant contributions to promoting literacy and education in the Brantford-Brant area. “Mary Stedman was very active in bringing Laurier to Brantford,” Wood stated. “She was part of the education group that put together the plan, making her an important figure for us.”

All high school students within the catchment area of the Grand Erie District School Board and the Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board are eligible to participate, including those who are homeschooled. Wood emphasized that students do not need to be enrolled in special writing programs to enter. “We really want to get the word out that you don’t have to be in something like the Writer’s Craft class at BCI to be part of this competition,” she explained.

The competition is designed to engage students early in their high school years, allowing them to participate multiple times throughout their education. “This competition happens every two years, so you can start in Grade 9 and be a part of it,” Wood noted. “If you graduate in 2025 and wrote something, your story can still be submitted after you graduate.”

Participants are required to submit an original, unpublished work of fiction that does not exceed 1,500 words. There are no restrictions on theme or genre, encouraging students to explore various styles. Wood mentioned, “Sometimes students have it in their head that good fiction is serious fiction, but we are open to anything. We’ve had students submit fantasy, science fiction, and horror.”

The competition aims to inspire creativity among students and has been well-received in local classrooms. “From what I’ve heard from the teachers involved, it’s been a real boon for getting students enthusiastic and engaged,” Wood said. “It gives them something to aim for while working on their English assignments or writing their own stories.”

Financial incentives enhance the appeal of the Laurier Stedman Prize. Cash prizes will be awarded to the top six submissions, including a $3,500 first place prize, two second place prizes of $2,500 each, and three third place prizes of $1,500 each. Additionally, the remaining submissions in the top ten will receive merchandise prizes, while all entries submitted by their schools will earn participation prizes.

Students interested in participating should connect with their English teachers to initiate the process. Each school typically selects four stories to advance to the competition, and the school will determine which entries get submitted if more than four entries are received. All entries must be uploaded by their school’s teacher coordinator by April 2, 2026, while homeschool submissions are due by March 26, 2026. The awards ceremony is scheduled for May 27, 2026.

Wood expressed her hope that participants will take pride in their creative efforts, regardless of the outcome. “I worry about the loss of creativity with the development of AI, and it’s important for us to keep using our brains in creative ways,” she said. “This competition can provide validation and pride for the type of creative work that often goes unrecognized in our society.”

For those considering entering, Wood advises, “Just tell your story. Don’t worry about what anybody else will think. That is your story, those are your words, so don’t be afraid. Be brave. Anyone can try this; it’s meant to be a fun experience.”