Sixteen-year-old author Hailyn Martin is already leaving an indelible mark on Airdrie’s creative community. A young writer with extraordinary drive, Martin recently published her debut novel, Never Till Now, a young-adult sports romance that blends lighthearted fun with meaningful emotional depth.
“How cool is it that Airdrie has their very own youth author? Hailyn is as genuine and kind as she is talented,” says nominator Kyla Carswell.
Martin’s storytelling is rooted in imagination and honesty.
“The end scene was what came into my mind first. It was one of those moments where the scene wrote itself before the book concept was even thought of.”
Writing became a way to process her own heart condition through her character, Ashton. That emotional courage — paired with her discipline and creativity — sets her apart as a remarkable role model for Airdrie youth.
Despite juggling multiple projects, Martin is driven by purpose. She also commits her time to community work, from coaching younger basketball players to supporting local food drives.
“What motivates me to work hard is knowing that the effort I put in now actually shapes my future,” Martin says.
With plans to pursue cosmetology while continuing to write, Martin’s future is as bright as her imagination. Her debut is only the beginning of a promising creative journey that continues to inspire young people across Airdrie.
The AAWAs are celebrating their Sweet 16 in 2026. How did you celebrate your 16th birthday?
To be completely honest, I didn’t do anything super extravagant for my 16th … I mainly just spent the day with my friends and family, which is more fun to me, anyways. I have always loved spending time with my family and loved ones, so it was just as special to me as any big party would’ve been.