Panama August 12, 2026. The Ministry of Culture announced the results of the National Mid-Chicken Fairy Competition "Expression of Children for Children" 2026, an initiative that promotes creativity, writing and literary expression among national primary education students. In this issue, 302 jobs were received and have been evaluated by a jury composed of writers Silvia Fernández de Risco, Katia Malo and Annabel Miguelena.

The first place was awarded to Helen Nicole Caballero, a sixth-degree student at the Adventista School of Conception, in Chiriquí, for his tale "Do the sparrows speak?," presented under the pseudonym "The Center of the Theater." The jury emphasized the narrative structure, rhythm and construction of characters of this story, that addresses vulnerability, child isolation, friendship and redemption through an urban fantasy proposal.

The second place was Nathalia Marlenis Quirós Fuentes, fifth degree at the San José School of Malambo, in West Panama, for "The tree keeping secrets," under the pseudonym "School Brillito." The work addresses school harassment, resilience and the value of artistic expression, using the personification of a tree as a central element of history.

The third place was for Johys Lima Hernández, a sixth-grader at the Los Algarrobos School, in Veraguas, for the tale "The Golden Fist of the Forgotten Guardian," presented under the pseudonym "El caramelo." The jury highlighted the imagination that was deployed in the creation of a mythological creature as well as the management of tension and conflict resolution from respect and empathy.

They were also recognized with honor mentions Elena Toro Bellini, sixth grader of the Brader College, Panama, for "The tree that kept secrets (The Golden Seed)," who obtained first mention and Emma Victoria Almengor Batista, sixth grader from PanAmerican School, North Brisas, Panama, for "The Sorrows of the Blue Fox," worthy of second mention.

With this contest, the Ministry of Culture from the classroom promotes the approach of boys and girls to literature and offers a space for their stories, ideas and imagination to be recognized. The results were established unanimously by the Jury on July 15, 2026 after evaluating the 302 participating stories.