At the age of 14, 10th grade student Elizabeth Min has already written a book, is a blogger of books and has skipped a grade in school.

Now she has “World War II writing contest winner” to add to that list.

The Decatur High School student is one of four winners in a state writing contest meant to remember the end of World War II during its 70th anniversary.

Her winning piece? “It took a war to bring my family together,” a fictional narrative essay.

The Office of Secretary of State’s Legacy Washington program sponsored the contest, which asked students in eighth through 11th grade to write a letter to a veteran (living or deceased) or an essay, describing what the war means to them.

“When I was writing it, I kind of wanted to bring a different approach to World War II… if there was any good that came out of it,” Min said about her essay, adding that she was inspired by Ann Frank’s optimism and hope during the Holocaust.

Min’s essay takes readers back in time to a Japanese-American woman’s experience with Camp Harmony internment camp.

“Perhaps it was because of my fear of the war that Camp Harmony seemed so idyllic,” an excerpt from Min’s essay. “There, life simulated normalcy.”

The character explains her best memories are from living at the camp. It’s where her family spent more time together and where she got her first job.

Min’s essay takes a twist, but in the end her character explains the strength she found within, leading her to help others.

To research information for an essay about World War II, Min perused the Internet but also drew inspiration from seniors at a local “old folks home.” Her school had done an unit on World War II in France and interviewed people with NPR’s story corps, recording their stories.

While Min envisions her career in computer programming, she said she would like to continue writing as a side job. As mentioned before, she has already completed a 250-page fictional book, “The Pirate Hunters” and is in the process of trying to get it published.

“Whenever I get stressed out with school, you just have to write sometimes,” she said. “It’s a creative outlet and I feel like I really get to know my characters. It’s fun.”

Min and her fellow winners were invited to Secretary of State Kim Wyman’s office on Tuesday, Feb. 2 to receive a certificate of appreciation and a $100 gift card sponsored by Fred Meyer.

“So many of the submitted letters and essays were very thoughtful and well-written,” Wyman said in a news release. “Some of them were personal and moving, while others focused on the war’s enormous impact. I congratulate all of the students who took part.”

Other winners include:

• Remi Frederick, an eighth grade student from Columbia Junior High School in Tacoma, wrote “A Letter of Life.”

• Sajid Amin, a ninth grade student from North Thurston High School in Lacey, wrote “What WWII means to me.”

• June Lin, an 11th grade student from Snohomish High School, wrote “Six Long Years.”

Their winning essays will appeared alongside the Washington Remembers exhibit.

Min’s essay can be read here:

“It took a war to bring my family together” by Elizabeth Min

It took a war to bring my family together.

Growing up, I never felt close to my brothers. Older brother and I were nine years apart, and there was no chance that Renji, 11 years younger than me, could be a real sibling to older brother.

Though my brothers and I were born in America, we were taken to the Camp Harmony internment camp in April of 1942 because we were Japanese. Perhaps it was because of my fear of the war that Camp Harmony seemed so idyllic. There, life simulated normalcy.

It was at Camp Harmony that I got to spend time with my family, something we never did at home. It was at Camp Harmony that I got my first job, and older brother addressed me directly for the first time. It was a dream. My family was my own and for the first time, I wasn’t scared of the war.

Although some memories are hazy, one remains clear. Older brother asked me if I was happy.

“You aren’t?”

He stared at the dishes we had to clean.

“Back home, I was a disappointment. Some days, I feel even worse. Others, I think this is where I belong…. Asuna, you’re stronger than I thought. Thank you for helping me here.”

There was something about older brother thanking me that made a rock settle in my stomach, so when he finished and told me to turn the lights out when I left, all I said was “OK,” and I let him leave.

Older brother killed himself that night.

Renji wasn’t far behind.

He’d always been a sickly child, but when our family and hundreds of others were transferred to Minidoka internment camp, Renji didn’t even have energy to complain. We wanted to stay and let Renji rest, but the person in charge insisted that we would be fine. He loaded us onto the train I would emerge from 30 hours later, brotherless and empty and so full I couldn’t breathe.

In 1943, my family went home. I thought that, even though we were coming to nothing, home would change something in my shells of parents. I was wrong; they never recovered. But I did.

I guess I’ve run out of shame, because it’s almost 70 years after the war, and I can admit that Camp Harmony was the site of my best memories.

Even though there are many things I still don’t understand, I know enough to fill the blanks on Renji’s sickness and older brother’s suicide. I know myself enough to know that without Camp Harmony, I wouldn’t be the person I am today, a well‐regarded youth psychiatrist that has talked more than one kid off the brink.

Just like every teen I’ve worked with, even though I didn’t want to be talked into living, therapy was something I had to go through. World War II was the treatment I needed to convince me that life goes on. Once the war ended, I wanted to live.

Elizabeth Min is a 10th grade student at Decatur High School in Federal Way.