Naziyah Fatima Asad, a Grade 12 student at Holy Cross College, has won a Gold Award in the Senior category (ages 14–18) of the Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition (QCEC) 2025, the world’s oldest international school-based writing contest run by the Royal Commonwealth Society (RCS).
This year’s theme, “Our Commonwealth Journey,” drew 53,434 entries from students across all 56 Commonwealth countries, spanning essays, poems, plays and letters. The competition is split into two age divisions—Senior (14–18) and Junior (under 14)—with top writers in each division receiving Gold Awards. From each division, one global winner is further selected for the prestigious Platinum Award.
As is customary, global winners and Senior category honourees are typically invited to a London awards ceremony hosted by the RCS, with all winners and shortlisted entrants receiving official certificates.
Founded more than 140 years ago, the QCEC is regarded as a launchpad for young writers, encouraging original storytelling on shared values, identity and the future of the Commonwealth. Naziyah’s achievement places her among an elite cohort of young voices recognized for clarity of thought, creativity and impact.