Dame Ruby Bute Short Story Contest returns with Carnival and AI theme

GREAT BAY--The Ministry and the Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport, MECYS, Melissa Gumbs, has announced the second annual Dame Ruby Bute National Short Story Contest, inviting young writers between the ages of 12 and 14 to imagine the future of St. Maarten Carnival through storytelling, creativity and cultural pride.

This year’s contest is being held under the theme “Beats, Bytes & Bacchanal: It’s St. Maarten Carnival 2050.” The contest is being organized in collaboration with Antek, Boolchands, Klass Electronics and RBC.

Participants are being challenged to imagine a future Carnival shaped by artificial intelligence, technology, culture and tradition, where innovation has transformed the celebration, but its heart remains the same. Young writers are encouraged to tell stories filled with creativity, energy and cultural pride while exploring what St. Maarten Carnival could look like in the year 2050.

The contest continues MECYS’ efforts to promote literacy, creative writing, imagination and cultural awareness among young people. It also honors the legacy of Dame Ruby Bute, one of St. Maarten’s most respected cultural icons, writers and storytellers, whose contributions to literature, art, education and culture continue to inspire new generations.

The submission window for the contest will open on August 1, 2026 and close on August 21, 2026. Winners will be announced on September 8, 2026, in observance of International Literacy Day.

Eligible contestants must be between the ages of 12 and 14, and submitted stories must be between 750 and 3,000 words.

Contest rules include no profanity or extreme violence. Stories may not contain more than three percent AI-generated content and will be checked using an AI detection tool. Plagiarism of existing local or international media will not be tolerated.

The contest builds on the success of its inaugural year, which encouraged students to use writing as a way to explore St. Maarten’s identity, environment and cultural heritage. The first edition produced a strong group of young writers and highlighted the importance of giving students opportunities to develop their voices through storytelling.

This year’s theme places Carnival at the center of the imagination, asking students to think about the future while remaining connected to the rhythm, energy, creativity and traditions that make St. Maarten Carnival a defining part of national life.

MECYS is encouraging schools, parents, guardians and youth organizations to support eligible students and motivate them to participate during the summer period.

The second annual Dame Ruby Bute National Short Story Contest is being organized in collaboration with Antek IT Solutions, Boolchand’s, Klass Electronics and RBC.

Students are encouraged to begin preparing their stories early and to use the opportunity to share their vision of St. Maarten Carnival in 2050.

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