JCRC announces winners of annual student contest
As part of its Annual Community Holocaust Commemoration for Yom Hashoah (Holocaust Remembrance), the Jewish Community Relations Council of the Youngstown Area Jewish Federation held a student Holocaust writing, art, and multimedia contest.
Winners were recognized at the annual Community Yom Hashoah Commemoration Ceremony held at the Mahoning County Courthouse April 14.
Yom Hashoah is an internationally recognized day set aside for remembering all victims of the Holocaust and for reminding society what can happen to civilized people when bigotry, hatred, and indifference reign.
Students in grades seven to 12 were invited to submit an original piece of poetry, narrative composition, art, or multimedia piece.
The theme for this year’s contest was “When Time Stood Still: The Fate of Jewish Families and Communities During the Holocaust.” It’s inspired by the 18-panel exhibit from Yad Vashem that highlights how each of the six million victims was more than just a number. Every individual had a unique identity—a life filled with hopes, fears, dreams, ambitions, and most importantly, family.
The Holocaust devastated Jewish families and communities across Europe. Synagogues, cemeteries, and cultural institutions were destroyed. In many cases, Holocaust Survivors returned to their hometowns after liberation to find no one from their families alive.
This year’s winners in the Student Holocaust Writing, Art, and Multimedia contest are:
London Cowan — First Place – Poetry — Grade 7–8, Akiva Academy
Eli Lipinsky — Second Place – Poetry — Grade 7–8, Austintown Middle School
Lillian Agnone — Third Place – Poetry — Grade 7–8, Lowellville High School
Noah Johnson — Fourth Place – Poetry — Grade 7–8, Akiva Academy
Rebecca Sakelaris — First Place – Essay — Grade 7–8, Akiva Academy
James Perrin — Second Place – Essay — Grade 7–8, Austintown Middle School
Roei Sigler — Third Place – Essay — Grade 7–8, Akiva Academy
Joshua Martin — Fourth Place – Essay — Grade 7–8 , Akiva Academy
Phoenix Patterson — First Place – Multimedia — Grade 7–8, Austintown Middle School
Sarah Baquero — Second Place – Multimedia — Grade 7–8, Akiva Academy
Annabelle Holbrook — Third Place – Multimedia — Grade 7–8, Austintown Middle School
Alaina Jackson — First Place – Poetry — Grade 9–10, West Middlesex High School
Cameron Kenney — Second Place – Poetry — Grade 9–10, Boardman High School
Ta’Lea Feliciano — Third Place – Poetry — Grade 9–10, Boardman High School
Madison Khoury — First Place – Essay — Grade 9–10, Boardman High School
Chloe Smith — Second Place – Essay — Grade 9–10, Boardman High School
Audrey Lorenzi — Third Place – Essay — Grade 9–10, Boardman High School
Stella Mitchell — First Place – Multimedia — Grade 9–10, Boardman High School
Olivia Cuevas — Second Place – Multimedia — Grade 9–10, Boardman High School
Lainey Powell — Third Place – Multimedia — Grade 9–10, Boardman High School
Annabella Smiley — First Place – Poetry — Grade 11–12, West Middlesex High School
Meredith Massey — First Place – Poetry — Grade 11–12, West Middlesex High School
Zachary Sodeman — Second Place – Poetry — Grade 11–12, Boardman High School
Avary Stover — Third Place – Poetry — Grade 11–12, West Middlesex High School
Kylah Helscel — Fourth Place – Poetry — Grade 11–12, Boardman High School
Rogen Lewis — First Place – Essay — Grade 11–12, West Middlesex High School
Jasmine Kortes — Second Place – Essay — Grade 11–12, Boardman High School
Lucy Briggs — Third Place – Essay — Grade 11–12, West Middlesex High School
Remington Fish — Fourth Place – Essay — Grade 11–12, Boardman High School
Allyson Farley — First Place – Multimedia — Grade 11–12, Crestview High School