Holocaust Center Writing and Art Contest Winners!

This year the Holocaust Center for Humanity received over 900 entries from over 70 schools. Thank you not only for your student participation but for the teacher guidance you provided. Winners were selected by a panel of judges - artists, teachers, and community members.

The contest is open to 6th-12th grade students in the states of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Alaska. See complete list of Contest Guidelines. 2018 Writing, Art and Film Contest theme will be announced in the winter.

PRIZES: $200 - 1st Place. $100 - 2nd Place. $50 - 3rd Place. Prizes awarded by category.

ART (9th-12th Grade)
3rd Place - Hattie KenKnight, Grade 10. Seattle Preparatory School, Seattle. Teacher: Matt Barmore.
This painting compares the past as well as the present. The right side represents the Holocaust, including a picture of the wire fences bordering the concentration camps transferred onto the painting. The background color is a diluted and dull blue, matching the color of the Star of David on the armbands the Jews were forced to wear. The left side depicts the border wall between the United States and Mexico. In both scenarios, the groups have been subject to injustice. The red in the center, which bleeds outwards, symbolizes those who speak up about these atrocities to the world.

WRITING - 6th-8th Grade (Excerpts)
3rd Place - Gabi Adams, Grade 8. Assumption St. Bridget School, Seattle. Teacher: Gerrie O’Leary.
In school books, paragraphs upon paragraphs analyze past historical figures, events, and artifacts. Each book and time period are riddled with horrifying stories of death and destruction, giving the minds of young, impressionable students a perspective of what the future history books will contain. We have little effect over the events, but immeasurable influence over the reaction. So, the controls still remain in our hands; we each have the power to change those impending paragraphs with ripple effects that may eventually turn to massive waves or even tsunamis. If, in fact, we sit back and do nothing while injustice is executed, the response will be nothing compelling enough to gather anyone to protest. Click here to read the full piece.

Honorable Mention - Hannah Willison, Grade 8. St Luke School, Shoreline. Teacher: Rosemary Conroy.
Faye Shulman, a fearless woman, was not powerless to prevent injustice. After witnessing the brutal slaughter of her family, she chose to protest, by joining the resistance and fighting a guerilla war in harsh conditions so that the Jewish people would survive and eventually take their rightful place in Israel. Click here to read the full piece.

WRITING - 9th-12th Grade (Excerpts)
2nd Place - Sophia Vandewark, Grade 10. Eastside Catholic School, Sammamish. Teacher: Ailis Thornhill.
My role was defender, the others: attackers.
They asked: why?
I would not have had an answer had it not been that another in my role had said thank you
Although I could not stop the hurt from coming, I made it so they were not alone--
I spoke with my actions, telling them that I heard and saw. And that it was not alright with me. Click here to read the full piece.

3rd Place - Jacqueline Johanneson, Grade 10. Eastside Catholic School, Sammamish. Teacher: Ailis Thornhill.
If these walls could talk, would they use their words to perpetuate the heartache they have accumulated?
Would they use their voice to cry?
or cry out?
Would they weep tears for all of those who could not?
Exemplifying the very humanity which millions were deprived of.
Or would they, too, be left without words? Click here to read the full piece.

All of the winning entries are posted here on the Holocaust Center for Humanity website.
The Awards Ceremony will be held on July 16th at the Holocaust Center. Thank you to you and your students for their incredible work!