Anas Rayyan Shaifuddin and Amir Rayyan are in Form 2 at the renowned college.

Their remarkable achievement came despite a tight timeframe. They crafted their award-winning essays during a brief visit to London to meet their elder sister, Sofea Arisya.

Sofea, a third-year student at the Wharton Business School, University of Pennsylvania, was participating in a study programme at King’s College London at the time.

The twins expressed their excitement over the recognition, sharing how they had poured their hearts into the essays.

“Winning this award motivates us to keep exploring new ways of expressing ourselves through writing,” they said in a joint statement.

The twins have previously participated in other essay contests, but this marks their first entry into this particular competition.

Their essays, which centred on the theme of family values, unity and cultural heritage, stood out among thousands of entries.

The essay by Anas, A Culinary Journey with Tok and Me, offered readers an intimate glimpse into his experiences learning how to cook traditional Malaysian dishes from his grandmother.

“Good kuih-making,” according to his grandmother, “is about adding love and care into every step”.

Anas said it taught him the importance of patience, creativity and the value of bringing communities together through food.

Meanwhile, Amir’s essay, A Malaysian Tale of Family and Unity, highlighted the significance of family gatherings during festive occasions like Aidilfitri.

He painted a vivid picture of the laughter, shared meals and traditions that strengthen family bonds, emphasising that these values are essential in fostering unity within the Commonwealth.

“For me, these traditions are a symbol of strength and unity, ideas that I believe can resonate across the Commonwealth,” Amir said.

The competition’s theme this year revolved around family values, hospitality, cooperation, respect and dignity — concepts which the twins naturally incorporated into their essays.

Anas and Amir credited their English teachers for their guidance and encouragement throughout their journey as young writers.

They also hoped that their stories would inspire others to explore the power of storytelling and help keep alive values like compassion and respect in today’s rapidly evolving world.