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By Maruska Desouza for BIS Mumbai
The Read Bloom Books (RBB) Story Writing Competition 2025, initiated by Maruska Desouza, IB Teacher-Librarian at Don Bosco International School (DBIS), Mumbai, was conducted in collaboration with six other IB schools across India. Open to students aged 7-16, it invited original stories in any genre and language, offering young writers the chance to become published authors. Launched in August 2025, the competition concluded with the announcement of winners at the online Bloom Fest Literary Festival on December 6, 2025.
Rooted firmly in student agency, the competition was judged entirely by a student jury of ten, including three from DBIS. More than 500 entries were submitted from around the world across six categories: Grades 1-6, Grades 7-12, Teen, GenAI, Non-English Language (Spanish, Hindi, Marathi), and Picture Book. This global participation showcased the diversity of young voices and the breadth of their creativity.
Don Bosco International School (DBIS) showed strong leadership and student agency throughout the process. DBIS students served as jury members, a keynote speaker, and workshop leaders at the online Literary Bloom Fest on December 6. They also excelled as participants, winning two first-place awards and two Honorable Mentions. Additionally, Maruska Desouza received a trophy recognizing her role as the librarian of the winning school and her efforts in inspiring students to write.
Reflecting on his experience as a jury member, IBDP student Om Gupta shared, “Judging such a diverse range of stories, from horror to neo-fantasy, was an incredible experience. Every story showed the imagination and effort of its writer.”
Anika, an IBDP student and Keynote Speaker, delivered an engaging talk on the literary value of graphic novels, emphasizing their complex themes, symbolism, and the interplay of visual and textual literacy.
AS Level students Jemimah and Maheka, who led a workshop on Fractured Fairy Tales, greatly enjoyed interacting with participants and answering their thoughtful questions.
Overall, students were inspired by their participation in the RBB Story Writing Competition. They awaited the Bloom Fest results with great anticipation, celebrated the winners with enthusiasm, and left the festival inspired to continue writing.
When Liferarian Association approached me in June 2025 to join the Read Bloom Books(RBB) Core Team for the Story Writing Competition, I felt both excited and a little apprehensive. Having successfully played a key role in the competition the previous year, I knew the joy of amplifying student voice, choice, and agency on a global scale - and I also understood the significant behind-the-scenes effort required to manage a competition with tight timelines. As I reflect on this year’s journey, I am reminded of why these initiatives matter so deeply. Watching young writers discover the power of their voices - and seeing students lead, judge, teach, and inspire one another - reaffirmed my belief in the transformative strength of student agency. Though the work behind the scenes is demanding, the moments of growth, confidence, and creativity witnessed make every effort worthwhile. This competition is far more than an event; it is a celebration of imagination and a reminder that stories can shape not only readers, but the writers themselves!
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