Youth Writing Contest

In spring 2008, as part of our 10th anniversary celebrations, the Diefenbunker, Canada’s Cold War Museum held a student writing competition entitled “Lessons from the Cold War: A Youth Writing Contest.”

The contest, open to students in grade 11, 12, Sec V or Cegep I, featured a prize of $1000 for the essay or creative writing piece that best illustrated how the Cold War has affected contemporary national or global politics and/or society. Submissions were subject to review by a two-member panel of celebrity judges: author Tim Wynne-Jones and Major-General (Retired) Lewis Mackenzie, C.M., CMM, MSC (and bar), O.Ont , CD.

On May 18, International Museums Day, the judges awarded prizes to the three finalists selected from the field of submissions. The winner was Edward Roué of Merivale High School, for “Cold Warriors.” Runners-up were Nicholas DuBois of École secondaire publique De La Salle, for “A Legacy of Ruin” and Cristina Ichim of St. Pius X Catholic High School, for “Forging a Peacekeeping Identity.” The awards ceremony included a reception and tours of the museum for the students and their families.

The Diefenbunker congratulates all students who submitted entries for the contest. The Youth Writing Contest is a part of ongoing efforts by the Diefenbunker to promote the teaching of the Cold War, and to connect youth with Canada’s Cold War past.