HIS Writes Competition 2024 

Words by Nanako Dobashi

"If people cannot write well, they cannot think well, and if they cannot think well, others will do their thinking for them.”

George Orwell 

HIS Writes was created in 2021 to pair with its companion HIS Reads (begun in 2015). It is a short story competition open to entries from all students in grade 6 and above. Created as a way to provide an avenue to bring student writing beyond the classroom, HIS Writes encourages student creativity through narrative writing, which many have argued stands at the heart of all writing. Our entire life, in fact, is a story that we are writing as we go. The better we plan and organize, the much easier the winding path of life is to follow. 

This year our theme was Pivot. We make many choices in life. With those choices our trajectories shift and shape us into who we are today. Choosing the right time to pivot and the right focus can make all the difference. 

"Man was made for conflict, not for rest. In action is his power; not in his goals but in his transitions man is great." 

Ralph Waldo Emerson 

During this year’s Literacy Celebration, HIS Reads finalists defended their books and the HIS Writes finalist rankings were announced. Parents from our community came to watch this big event to celebrate literacy together. One parent, Ms. Akiko Gotoda, shared her feelings. 

"It was my first time to be at finals and I was so amazed how well students are defending and preparing and we as parents are so fortunate to see children are into the reading and receiving a chance to defend their choice. 

These days children can’t live without electric devices and HIS English department has been putting extra ordinary effort to encourage and leads children to read the book.”

She went on to share her support for our decade long program. 

"It must have been not easy to keep this event going for 10yrs but for sure this is one of the successful event for the school and it’s very honor to see our children are receiving such a precious opportunity.” 

Our literacy celebration also came with special judges. One of our special judges is Eric Johnston, the Senior National Correspondent for The Japan Times. It was his first time attending the event and was thrilled at what he saw. 

"Superb job and a big otsukaresama to you both. It was an honor, a privilege, and a pleasure to be able to take part as a judge. The kids were passionate and thoughtful, the winners well-deserved. The organization of the event was also excellent, a testament to your managerial skills and diplomacy.” 

The 10 contestants from middle school and high school submitted stories that explored themes of love, loneliness, and more. 5 were chosen as finalists. 

A heartfelt thank you to all the judges and contestants for joining us in celebrating the 3rd anniversary of HIS Writes! If you want to enter next year please be prepared for the open submissions next January and March! 

Here are the 5 finalists and their stories. 

Nanako (3rd)

He was like a shooting star. A sudden, bright streak of light entered my dark, but somewhat blissful, night.

Love is magical. It casts a spell, leaving us dancing with hope, wishing for our shooting star to remain in our night sky forever. But what do we do when it's gone? 

Asana (2nd)

Hands shaking just seconds away from ending it all when someone saves her. Rena looks up to see a girl stopping her from ending her miserable life. This is when Renas' whole life changed. With an alcoholic mother and no friends at school Rena had no more hope left in her life anymore. All she ever wanted was a “normal” life with a loving mother and friends. When she meets a special friend in the forest where she starts to discover all the secrets and the shadows of the forest.

Jiwoo (Champion)

It is one rainy afternoon, when a successful, renowned horror author, Jinyoung, realizes he simply cannot write more. Whether he admitted it or not, he was facing a burn-out—which he believed was absurd—with his unquestionably “perfect” planning and excelling knowledge in writing, and his life. That is when he hears a familiar, old Korean tune from the radio, that brings him a flush of forgotten memories. And Jinyoung’s stubbornly monotonous, far-from-fantasy-like life pivots to a different angle with his chance meeting with Yuna, his close friend in the past.   

Kira Newman and Mika Currie

Charles Gacy is a serial killer who desires to be loved by someone and to kill. Since he was neglected and abused as a child, he wanted to finally have someone love him, and all the abuse slowly made him think differently and more like a psychopath. The police are looking for the serial killer Dr. Death, who is actually him, and as he plays the cop, he is slowly but surely being found out. Will he go as far as killing more to get the love he desires so much?

Emilio

A misanthropic young man on the brink of his death has a chance meeting with the dog that will forever alter the trajectory of his life. 

You can check out their stories here: https://www.his.ac.jp/huskies-life/his-writes