2008 Student Essay Contest

2008 Leo & Antonia Gershanov Memorial Holocaust Essay Contest:
History's Dark Echo: The Challenge of 'Never Again' in the 21st Century

In the more than sixty years that have passed since the end of the Holocaust, acts of bigotry, prejudice and intolerance, many of the magnitude of genocide have continued to occur.  We ask Illinois students in grades 9 through 12 to share with us what they believe their generation can do to make “Never Again” a reality?

At the awards ceremony, members of the Gershanov family and IHMEC leadership congratulate the winners of the 2008 Gershanov Memorial Holocaust Essay Contest.

First Place
Rosa Alessandra Macrito, Ridgewood High School, Norridge - Grade 10
Teacher:  Mrs. Mavis Netterstrom

Mariah Rettenmeier, Rosary High School, Aurora - Grade 11
Teacher:  Ms. Stephanie Krzeminski

Aaron Rosenson, Evanston Township High School, Evanston - Grade 12
Teacher:  Mr. Fred Schenk

Second Place
Jacob Cedarbaum, Evanston Township High School, Evanston - Grade 12
Teacher:  Ms. Elizabeth Holding

Brian Daniel Freese, Ridgewood High School, Norridge - Grade 10
Teacher:  Mrs. Mavis Netterstrom

Third Place
Justin Forneris, Herscher High School, Herscher - Grade 12
Teacher:  Mrs. Kerri Robinson

Nora Heaton, Palatine High School, Palatine - Grade 12
Teacher:  Ms. Lynda Appino

Honorable Mention   
Chelsea Uselding, Evanston Township High School, Evanston - Grade 12
Teacher:  Ms. Elizabeth Holding