Congratulations 2026 Cascade Award Winners!
We congratulate the following winners and 2nd-place runners-up of the 2026 Cascade Writing Contest!
CASCADE AWARD WINNER! “Speedboats and Suffering”—Laurie McDowell
2nd Place “What the Marigolds Knew Before I Did”—Melissa Mayfair
CASCADE AWARD WINNER! Dead
We congratulate the following finalists of the 2026 Cascade Writing Contest!
Article, column, nonfiction short story
2025 Cascade Writing Contest Winners
ARTICLE, COLUMN, NONFICTION SHORT STORY
First Place
Becky Alexander
“A Little Help from JFK”
Second Place
Cecil Taylor
“The Baby Is Stronger Than Anyone Knows”
DEVOTIONAL
First Place
Barbara Culley
“Numbering Our Days”
Second Place
Laurie Allred Boyd
“In All Things”
FICTION SHORT STORY
First Place
Jackie Melvin
“Forever Person”
Second Place
Rick Taylor
“Just a Potter’s Daughter”
POETRY
First Place
Kathleen R. Ruckman
“My
Article, Column, Nonfiction Short Story
A Little Help from JFK – Becky Alexander
Chinchilla Bingo and the Pretzel Ladder – Cheryl A Cates
The Baby is Stronger than Anyone Knows – Cecil Taylor
The Price of Love – Melissa Stinson
Children’s Chapter
Get Ready for the 2025 Cascade Writing Contest! For Published and Unpublished Writers.
Cascade Christian Writers is delighted to announce that the 2025 Cascade Christian Writing Contest will open December 15. The annual contest honors excellence in writing and provides recognition and valuable feedback from judges
Congratulations to the 2024 Cascade Contest winners!
DEVOTIONAL
First Place
Lana M. Usilton, “Cast a Line”
Second Place
Sandra Beck, “Pile of Feathers”
ARTICLE, COLUMN, NONFICTION SHORT STORY
First Place
Denise E. Arzoian, “Pebbles in My Heart”
Second Place
Debra K. Kornfield, “Two Minutes”
FICTION SHORT STORY
First Place
Lori Altebaumer, “The Last Parade”
Second Place
Pamela McDavid, “The Dirt
