Live On Festival Awards 2026 (Essay)

Ms Sally Kong (Deputy Director, National Organ Transplant Unit, Ministry of Health)

LOF - Design & Essay Competition Judging Panel

Junior Category 1 proved to be an exceptionally competitive category, making the judging process both challenging and rewarding.

The theme - tracing the journey of an organ from donor to recipient, encompassing the hopes, fears and dreams of all involved - was a deeply human and emotionally complex subject. What was impressive was how participants, despite their age, rose to meet the weight of this theme with considerable thoughtfulness and confidence.

The abstract nature of the subject matter did not deter the students. Instead, they translated these layered emotions beyond the literal, capturing the profound meaning behind the journey of giving and receiving life. The intensity of emotion conveyed - whether through the quiet grief of loss, the fragile hope of waiting, or the transformative joy of renewal - was striking, suggesting a level of empathy and maturity well beyond what might be expected of this age group.

The stiff competition in this category stands as a testament to the exceptional talent and dedication of these young participants.

The Open Category essays were thoroughly argued and well-structured, representing the full complexity of the topic with intelligence and fairness. The analytical writing demonstrates exactly the kind of critical thinking the question demands. The participants rose to the occasion, delivering excellent works that were a joy to read.

Dr Daphne Ng (Science Communication Lead, Nanyang Technological University)

LOF - Essay Competition Judging Panel

It is my honour once again to judge the essay writing competition of the Live On Festival. As a returning judge, I remain deeply impressed by the quality of the entries. The writers demonstrated a nuanced appreciation of the challenges surrounding organ donation, and approached this difficult and sensitive topic with great empathy and maturity. Some even injected humour into their discussions, which helped make this serious issue more accessible and relatable.

Organ donation is an honourable act of kindness with the power to change lives. After reading the entries in this competition, I have gained a renewed respect for those who give this gift of life. I hope this competition encourages deeper reflection on the importance of organ donation and the role each of us can play in fostering a more informed and compassionate society.

Ms Vivian Teo (Best-Selling & Award-Winning Children’s Book Author)

LOF - Essay Competition Judging Panel

It is a great honour to return for the second year as a judge for the Live On Festival’s essay competition. Once again, I have been impressed by the quality of the submissions, many of which were engaging, thoughtful and well presented.

In this age of AI, much of the writing I encounter online has sadly become bland and formulaic, as too many rely on machines instead of their own voice. That is why, in this year’s competition—whether through a fictional tale tracing the journey of a donated organ or an expository essay urging us to embrace death as a necessary conversation—I looked for originality, creativity and unique voices that truly inspired me. I am delighted to say this year’s submissions reaffirmed my faith in the power of young voices.

At its core, organ donation reflects the best of humanity, and the resilience that defines us as human beings. In that same spirit, I encourage each of you to keep using your words, your voice, and your creativity to spark conversations that matter and inspire those around you. My heartiest congrats to all the winners!

Dr Carissa Foo (Fiction Writer and Educator, NUS College)

LOF - Essay Competition Judging Panel

Overall, the essays demonstrated much sensitivity and understanding of the challenges surrounding organ donation. Some essays tackled the mental and emotional challenges faced by family members and friends; others displayed critical depth and awareness when responding to state policies and theories of care.

Reading the essays, I am heartened by the empathy and understanding that undergird the writings. Some essays were simultaneously amusing moving, detailing the journey of imaginary organs as they move from one state of existence to another; others immersed the reader in a state of confusion and disorientation as the said organ experiences displacement. Each was thoughtful in its own way, offering a sympathetic glimpse into the life of an organ. In the critical analyses, the essays had to balance the emotional toil and cultural inclinations with state policies and encouragement — this tall order was mostly received with a maturity and measure that is impressive, speaking to the degree of clarity and criticality evidenced in the submissions. 

Live On Essay Competition has brought out empathetic sentiments and sensitivities that are pressing and necessary when addressing topics regarding organ donation. I wholeheartedly congratulate each and every writer for their submission, especially the winners whose writings were exceptional in their class!

Mr Desmond Kon (Senior Lecturer, Creative Writing and Publishing, Nanyang Technological University)

LOF - Essay Competition Judging Panel

An extraordinary privilege to encounter this year’s invested, insightful submissions. Fascinating to read into such unique perspectives, intellectual engagement, authentic emotion, and creative imagination. With situational writing, I found it intriguing how these essays imagined the specific scenarios, and accordingly, penned pieces cognizant of tone, content, purpose, audience, context.

The outstanding pieces displayed some distinctive feature. Many surfaced compelling arguments, strong in reasoning, research, structure, substantiation, with a balanced treatment. Some succeeded on a more aesthetic persuasion. These were refreshing to read, given their narratological staging of character, scene, storyline. The joy was in appreciating a remarkable throughline or particularity. Indeed, the curious quirk in narrative stye often translated into a remarkable attribute of the voice. The impassioned voices, coupled with good form, did attain a lovely polish. What resonated on the page often ended up most memorable. So much compassion, maturity in these writings, in the face of complex concerns navigated by the self, other, and larger society.

I have become a happy witness to emerging voices with promise. All these writers are to be applauded for the thought and heart they have put into their writing. My deep gratitude to the organisers for establishing this important, meaningful initiative.