Congratulations to all our winners in this year's contest.

Each year, we receive approximately 2,000 entries from more than 100 middle and high schools across the state of Florida. All contest submissions are judged by a panel of volunteer educators and community members. Judges select the winners based on the thoughtfulness and uniqueness of the student’s reflection; the clarity of their message as expressed through their project; and the level of skill and creativity evoked through their writing, art, or video production.

Prizes for the winners have included up to $1000 per student plus additional monies awarded to their teachers and schools, all-expense paid chaperoned trips to Washington, D.C.'s historical sites including the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, private tours of the Craig and Barbara Weiner Holocaust Reflection Resource Center, meetings with Holocaust survivors, and an annual awards ceremony and reception on the NSU campus.

High School Winners

Art

image of student artwork

1st Place  |  "The Ashes of our Lives"

Art

By Ana Valdes

Teacher: Judy Hainsworth

Cypress Bay High School, public, 9

View the Art Piece

image of student artwork

2nd Place  |  "Bitter Memories"

Art

By Ruby Feng

Teacher: Leah Gentry

Seminole High School, public 9

View the Art Piece

Essays and Poems

1st Place  |  "Over the Tall Grass "

Essay/Poem

By Anna Zavadski

Teacher: Brendan Walsh 

NSU’s University School, private 9


Marie Silverman, a strong yet soft-spoken woman who’s faced the Holocaust’s terrors sets the example for people all over the world. Her testimonial teaches us to be the kinder versions of ourselves who don’t give up hope and keep up morale no matter what...

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2nd Place  |  "A Never-Ending Saga"

Essay/Poem

By Joshua Ogline

Teacher: Earl Post

Braden River High School, private/public, 10


The world is like a television, And we are her viewers, She suffocates us in her media, All while we lay back and consume her entertainment...

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Digital Storytelling

1st Place  |  "Be My Voice "

Digital Storytelling

By Neslianne Carrasquillo

Teacher: Amanda Mathis

Osceola County School of Arts, public, 10

2nd Place  |  "Anna's Story"

Digital Storytelling

By Max Danik

Teacher: Silkia Aviles

Wellington Community High School, private, 10

Middle School Winners

Art

image of student artwork

1st Place  |  "Can't you See I'm Human?"

Art

By Madeleine Merrick

Teacher: Chelsea Dittrich

Sunrise Middle School, public, 8

View the Art Piece

image of student artwork

2nd Place  |  “Never Forget”

Art

By Jack Armstrong

Teacher: Angela Tillman

Villa Madonna School, private, 7

View the Art Piece

Essays and Poems

1st Place  |  “Silent”

Essay/Poem

By Sofia Fernandez

Teacher: Theresa Schrager

Falcon Cove


A young teenage girl crept out of her home, Heading toward the dark forest behind her house, Unpleasant odors filled the air, As sounds and voices grew louder ...

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2nd Place  |  “Alone”

Essay/Poem

By Lauren Bryan

Teacher: Sheri Brandt

The Weiss School, private, 7


You live a small life, You go to school with 20 friends, even despite random differences. You are all the same, You are not alone....

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Digital Storytelling

1st Place  |  “A Light in the Darkness”

Digital Storytelling

By Sierra Crane

Teacher: Sheri Brandt

The Weiss School, private, 7

2nd Place  |  “Ruth Kluger and the Holocaust”

Digital Storytelling

By Kristen Colom

Teacher: Isabell Leger

Pembroke Pines Charter, Middle West, public, 8