The stories are in, have been read, and the winners in the first annual World Storytelling Day Celebration story writing contest called Water in Words in Delta have been chosen.

Ladner author Laura Thomas, who organized and judged the event after reading through the entries from Delta students in Grades 4-12, said the stories were amazing.

This year's contest had entrants write a short story which incorporated the theme of water.

"Primary setting in the elementary school stories was Boundary Bay and the number one choice of characters was mermaids," Thomas said.

The main theme was keeping the water pollution-free.

In the high school category, the setting of Boundary Bay was again tops, but the principle characters were troubled teens.

A total of 12 were selected winners and their authors will take their work from the page to the stage by presenting their story in dramatic form March 20 at the Genesis Theatre (5005 45th Ave.) in Ladner.

The contest winners with the titles of their work included:

(Elementary school level)

Justine Rapier, Grade 4, Sacred Heart Elementary (To Take a Risk)

Taylor Adam, Grade 4, Cliff Drive Elementary (One Special Dog)

Sadie Baird, Grade 4, Ladner Elementary (The Serpent)

Rynelle De Souza, Grade 5, Sacred Heart Elementary (A Watery Tail (Tale))

Erin Alden, Grade 6, Pinewood Elementary (The Secrets of Lake Silverstone)

Emma Millichamp, Grade 7, Sacred Heart Elementary (Wonderous Waters)

High School Category

Tessa Millic, Grade 10, Seaquam Secondary (The Mysterious Man of Caw)

Emily Garlough, Grade 11, South Delta Secondary (Hidden Beneath the Surface)

Courtney Hoolsema, Grade 12 South Delta Secondary (Dehydration)

Brooke Isherwood, Age 17, Grade 12, South Delta Secondary (Laughter Lost in Water)

Mariko Adams, Grade 12, South Delta Secondary (Swim Like a Polar Bear)

David Eastman, Grade 12, South Delta Secondary (The Island)