The Akron-Summit Council on Holocaust & Genocide Education intended to hold the 32nd annual Akron-Summit Holocaust Commemoration and Awards Ceremony on April 21, 2020. Unfortunately, the event has been cancelled due to COVID-19 closures and restrictions enacted by the State of Ohio.
The Council is now formally announcing the winners of the Akron-Summit Holocaust Arts & Writing Contest. This contest is held annually for Summit County students in grades 6-12 to promote education about the horrific events of the Holocaust along with other genocides. The winning students’ artwork and writing pieces can be viewed at www.AkronSummitHolocaustEducation.org. A list of winning students can be found below.
Visual Art Division I (grades 6-8)
First Place- Amy Sphapmixay, Miller South School of Visual and Performing Arts
Second Place Tie- Cathleen Kershner, Holy Family School Stow
Second Place Tie- Tai Fillingame, Miller South School of Visual and Performing Arts
Third Place- Maddie Curto, Miller South School of Visual and Performing Arts
Honorable Mention- Ella Gilanyi, Hudson Middle School
Honorable Mention- Lily Zhang, Hudson Middle School
Honorable Mention- Katherine Thiele, Hudson Middle School
Honorable Mention- Garrett Markey, Hudson Middle School
Honorable Mention- Tessa Lavi, Hudson Middle School
Honorable Mention- Annabel Green, Hudson Middle School
Honorable Mention- Rocco Motta, Miller South School of Visual and Performing Arts
Honorable Mention – Nadia Edgar, Miller South School of Visual and Performing Arts
Honorable Mention – Vuk Djuric, Miller South School of Visual and Performing Arts
Honorable Mention – Delilah Sphapmixay, Miller South School of Visual and Performing Arts
Honorable Mention- Joshua Malone, Holy Family School Stow
Honorable Mention- Tobias Bolbach, Holy Family School Stow
Honorable Mention- Anna Korecki, Holy Family School Stow
Honorable Mention- Zoe Testa, Holy Family School Stow
Honorable Mention- LeAnna Nkrumah, Miller South School of Visual and Performing Arts
Visual Art Division II (grades 9-12)
First Place- Andraya Gwen, Firestone High School
Second Place- Grace Kostko, Archbishop Hoban High School
Third Place- Madeline Brown, Firestone High School
Honorable Mention- Alexis Kraft, Archbishop Hoban High School
Honorable Mention- Ronald Belfield, Kenmore-Garfield High School
Honorable Mention- Faith Bryant, Kenmore-Garfield High School
Honorable Mention- Grace Dowling, Saint Vincent- St. Mary High School
Honorable Mention- Aiden Brave, Firestone High School
Honorable Mention- Jenny Wei, Firestone High School
Honorable Mention- Morgan Caserta, Mogadore High School
Writing Division I (grades 6-8)
First Place- Alba Mastromatteo, Holy Family School Stow
Second Place- Rylee Horowitz, The Lippman School
Third Place- Della Crabiel, Holy Family School Stow
Fourth Place Tie- Alexa Ballachino, Kimpton Middle School
Fourth Place Tie- Rebecca Carter, Hudson Middle School
Honorable Mention- Chloe Bigham, Hudson Middle School
Honorable Mention- Vasilia Aivazis, Kimpton Middle School
Writing Division II (grades 9-12)
First Place- Ella Thomas, Our Lady of the Elms High School
Second Place- Christine Mwangi, Our Lady of the Elms High School
Third Place- Kimora Greenwood, Our Lady of the Elms High School
Honorable Mention- Faith Heinle, Our Lady of the Elms High School
The Council congratulates the winning students and teachers for their hard work. Each first through fourth place winning student and teacher receive a cash prize. The theme for the 2021 contest is “What Does the Holocaust Teach Us About Hatred & Cruelty?” and the deadline is February 2021 (specific dates to be announced).
“Year after year our youngest residents impress me with their thoughtfulness and creativity. This year is no different. Congratulations to our winners and thank you to all our participants, including the teachers and parents who supported the students,” said Summit County Executive Ilene Shapiro. “In this uncertain time, it is helpful to remember the crises our nation and the world have faced before. In this spirit, I hope we all choose to do the right thing—help a neighbor, follow the advice of medical experts and speak out against misinformation.”
The Akron-Summit Council on Holocaust & Genocide Education is supported by Summit County, the City of Akron and donations from the community. To help promote Holocaust awareness and educate the youth in our community, please consider donating at www.AkronSummitHolocaustEducation.org/donate.
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