Student Contests
On Sunday, April 30, during a public ceremony held at Illinois Holocaust Museum, we recognized the award-winning efforts of twenty middle and high school students.
Their poetry, stories, works of art and musical compositions created in response to this year’s theme, From Observer to Upstander: When Conscience Motivates Action, received the highest scores from our panel of judges.
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR WINNERS:
Pictured from L to R:
Front row: Taylor Peterman, Karolina Pec, Cindy Cai, Eileen Peng, Kaitlyn Yi, Miriam Ortiz, Nichole Kinney, Jazmin Gonzalez;
Back row: Alexia Kando, Leah Mathew, Isabella Piekut, Halle-Mari Santiago, Jennifer Schmitt, William Ding, Teddy Sammons, Peri Ehlman, Kayleigh Purcell, Alexander Mayer, Iva Galic, Yesha Parikh
We wish to thank the more than 400 students from throughout Illinois who participated in the 2017 contest, and offer our special congratulations to the winners.
PETER GERSHANOV MEMORIAL PRIZE
Awarded to the entry that best represents the contest theme and pays tribute to the resilience of Holocaust survivors
- Eileen Peng, William Fremd High School, Palatine, Grade 9
Teacher: Mr. Jim Weaver
ART: Senior Division (Grades 9-12)
- 1st Place
Nichole Erin Kinney, Athens High School, Athens, Grade 10
Teacher: Mr. Chuck Walbert
- 2nd Place
Miriam Ortiz, Buffalo Grove High School, Buffalo Grove, Grade 12
Teacher: Mr. Jordie Field
- 3rd Place
Peri Francesca Ehlman, Loyola Academy, Wilmette, Grade 12
Teacher: Ms. Mary LaMont
SHORT STORY
- 1st Place
Kayleigh Irene Purcell, Loyola Academy, Wilmette, Grade 12
Teacher: Ms. Mary LaMont
- 2nd Place
Cindy Cai, William Fremd High School, Palatine, Grade 9
Teacher: Mr. Russ Anderson
- 3rd Place
Karolina Pec, Ridgewood High School, Norridge, Grade 12
Teacher: Mr. Andrew Anastasiades
POETRY
- 1st Place
Taylor Christine Peterman, Ridgewood High School, Norridge, Grade 10
Teacher: Mr. Andrew Anastasiades
- 2nd Place
Jazmin Gonzalez, Lindblom Math and Science Academy, Chicago, Grade 11
Teacher: Ms. Gina Caneva
- 3rd Place
Kaitlyn S. Yi, Carl Sandburg High School, Orland Park, Grade 10
Teacher: Mrs. Susan Chang
MUSIC
- 1st Place
Alexander Joseph Mayer, Plainfield South High School, Plainfield, Grade 12
Teacher: Mrs. Paula Moffett
ART: Junior Division (Grades 7-8)
- 1st Place
William YanJie Ding, Countryside School, Champaign, Grade 7
Teacher: Mr. Rich Morton
- 2nd Place
Halle-Mari Santiago, Gemini Junior High School, Niles, Grade 8
Teacher: Ms. Alexis Wooster
STORY
- 1st Place
Jennifer Anne Schmitt, Washington Junior High School, Orland Park, Grade 8
Teacher: Mr. James Gorey
- 2nd Place
Leah Ann Mathew, Gemini Junior High School, Niles, Grade 8
Teacher: Ms. Alexis Wooster
POETRY
- 1st Place
Isabella Piekut, Gemini Junior High School, Niles, Grade 8
Teacher: Ms. Alexis Wooster
- 2nd Place
Teddy Sammons, Countryside School, Champaign, Grade 8
Teacher: Mr. Rich Morton
MUSIC
- 1st Place
Iva Galic, Gemini Junior High School, Niles, Grade 8
Teacher: Ms. Alexis Wooster
Alexia Kando, Gemini Junior High School, Niles, Grade 8
Teacher: Ms. Alexis Wooster
Yesha Rajesh Parikh, Gemini Junior High School, Niles, Grade 8
Teacher: Ms. Alexis Wooster
Isabella Piekut, Gemini Junior High School, Niles, Grade 8
Teacher: Ms. Alexis Wooster
