We are delighted to share that one of our students, Zainabe Zahra Hirji, has been named the winner of the 2026 Student Humorous Short Story Competition, presented each year by the Stephen Leacock Associates in honour of the Canadian humorist Stephen Leacock.
Her winning story, “Fries are not ‘French,’” earned the competition’s top prize of $1,500. It was chosen from 51 entries submitted this year.
The two runner-up prizes of $750 each went to students at Bayview Glen Independent School and Upper Canada College, placing Zainabe’s win among a strong field of young writers from across the region.
Humour writing is difficult to do well. It asks for timing, a careful ear for language, and the confidence to find what is funny in ordinary life. We are proud of Zainabe, and we look forward to seeing where her writing takes her.
The winners were announced by the Stephen Leacock Associates.