The jury is in for this year’s Christmas Short Story Contest – and the competition was fierce.

But the winners have been chosen, as well as some honourable mentions, and the lucky winners will today learn that they can pick up the plaudits – and their prizes.

The hottest competition was in the youngest age group – aged 13 and under, followed by the adult category.

The adult winners were 1st, Paula Brangman of Pembroke, 2nd, Helen Zoellner of Hamilton Parish and 3rd, Allana Simons, from Warwick.

An honourable mention went to Samantha Soares, of Southampton.

The 18 and under age group saw some of the top places go to youngsters promoted a league from the under 13 group because of the high standard of many of the entries.

The winner in the under-18 group was Zarah Siddiqi, of Somersfield Academy, Devonshire.

Second prize went to Nahla Robinson, of Pembroke, with Kaelyn Burrows of Smith’s in third place and Bridget Repose, also Smith’s, getting an honourable mention.

Clearwater Middle School M1 student Keeliah Caines, of St George’s, took the laurels in the tough under 13 category, followed by Victoria Soares from Bermuda High School, Pembroke, in second place.

Katherine Haworth, also from BHS, was third and the honourable mention went to Alexcia Henry, from Sandys.

The winners in the youth sections will get prizes valued at $500, including $200 cash.

The runners-up get prizes valued at $250 – $100 cash – and third place is valued at $175, $50 of it in cash.

The prize breakdown will be the same for adults, but with the addition of the home delivery subscription, valued at $300.

There will be no awards ceremony this year because of the Covid-19 precautions, but the winners can pick up their prizes from the front desk of The Royal Gazette from next Monday.

The awards were named after the late Stanley Ratteray, a dentist, education minister, director of Bermuda Press (Holdings), the parent company of The Royal Gazette, and a lifelong supporter of the arts.