The nomination deadline for our 2026 9th-11th Grade Student Leadership Day has been extended to November 17, at 5:00 pm CST.
Our intensive Student Leadership Day programming engages students in 9th-11th grades with captivating, world-class Upstander speakers, interactive programs, and the opportunity to create an action plan to take back to their school. Student Leadership Day inspires the change-makers to build leadership skills, explore their roles as citizens, and develop a deeper understanding of the Holocaust, genocide, and other human rights issues. Students return to their communities with the tools and drive to promote acceptance and understanding.
We invite you to nominate up to ten of your 9th – 11th grade students to participate in this powerful day. The goal of Student Leadership Day is to increase awareness about the Holocaust, genocide, and human rights, and to help participants think about lessons we can learn from the past. Participating students will develop and carry out an action plan to address a social justice issue in their school, community, or the wider world. This year’s program will particularly look at media literacy, and the role of community-based journalism in creating informed citizens.
There is no cost for students to participate.
Dates & Times
Choose between two dates/times:
Tuesday, December 1, 9:00 am – 2:30 pm
Illinois Holocaust Museum, 9603 Woods Drive, Skokie, IL 60077
Wednesday, December 2, 9:00 am – 2:30 pm
Illinois Holocaust Museum, 9603 Woods Drive, Skokie, IL 60077
Keynote Speaker
MONICA ENG
Monica Eng is an award-winning, veteran Chicago reporter. She has worked in Chicago journalism for more than three decades starting at the Chicago Sun-Times and moving to the Chicago Tribune and WBEZ. She has served as an Axios Chicago reporter since the summer of 2021. Her reporting focuses on local stories ranging from politics to food and culture, with a focus on elevating voices in underrepresented communities.
NOMINATION GUIDELINES
Nominations are reviewed on a rolling basis, in the order in which they are received. The nomination deadline has been extended to November 17, at 5:00 pm CST.
- A maximum of 10 students per school are permitted. Please consult with your colleagues before submitting your nomination letter.
- A teacher or administrator must participate in the program along with their students. Limit 2 teachers/chaperones per school.
- Students should be willing to actively participate in discussion and activities, meet new people and become student ambassadors for the Illinois Holocaust Museum in their schools and broader communities.
- Students in grades 9-11 in accredited schools or homeschools are eligible to participate.
- Students should have a sincere interest in enhancing their knowledge of the Holocaust, genocide, and/or human rights issues.
- Students should have shown an interest in leadership at school or in their communities or have shown an interest in creating social awareness. Schools are particularly encouraged to nominate students who are not yet leaders in their schools, but who have the potential to be. Suggested nomination criteria available by request.
- Students must participate in the entire program until 2:30 pm.
You will be notified of your nomination status via email no later than two business days following the close of the nomination period. Additional details and links will be provided at that time. Participating schools will be invited to apply for a “seed money” grant to help fund materials needed to carry out their action plan.
Presenting Sponsor of Student Leadership Days:
Education Services are supported with generous grants from:
Charles and M.R. Shapiro Foundation, David P. Brody Charitable Trust, Dr. Scholl Foundation, Edoardo & Susan Kulp, Full Circle Foundation, Helen Brach Foundation, Jewel-Osco Foundation, Margot and Gunther Marx Education Fund, and PNC
Additional endowment support is provided by:
Congregation B’nai Sholom, The Mayor Richard M. and Maggie C. Daley Education Fund, The Harvey L. Miller Family Foundation Program Endowment Fund, Moselle Mintz Schwartz Education Fund, Barney & Anita Sidler Educational Endowment, and Teachers Educational Endowment Fund
Generously Supported by: Carol Lavin Bernick Family Foundation and Kennedy Family Foundation
Photo credits: Danyel Duncan; courtesy of Monica Eng