Winners of Statewide Holocaust Writing, Essay & Artwork Contest Announced

Helen Villarreal, winner in the Art Category, is congratulated by Barbra (left) and Craig Weiner, of the Holocaust Learning and Education Fund, and NSU President George Hanbury.

Statewide Contest Sponsored by NSU and the Holocaust Learning and Education Fund, Inc.

By learning from the past, we enrich our future. Nova Southeastern University (NSU) joined forces with the Holocaust Learning and Education Fund, Inc. to sponsor the first Holocaust Reflection Contest, a statewide student essay, artwork, and film competition focusing on Holocaust education. Winners were recently announced at an award ceremony on NSU’s main campus.

Participating students from middle and high schools across Florida studied Holocaust survivor testimonials then created original essays, poems, visual art pieces and films inspired by what they learned. Winners in each genre included:

Category	Student Name	Grade	School	Name of Winning Entry
High School Art	Helen Villarreal	12	JOHN I. LEONARD HIGH SCHOOL, Greenacres, FL	Remembrance
High School Essay/Poem	Garrett Gold	9	PALM BEACH CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL, Wellington, FL	Thanking God
High School Film	Ariel Desler	12	UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF NSU, Davie, FL	Never Forget
Middle School Art	Dominique Deer	8	VILLA MADONNA, Tampa, FL	The Bliss of Hope
Middle School Essay/Poem	Elijah Bishop	8	ANNUNCIATION CATHOLIC SCHOOL, Middleburg, FL	Faith! Hope! Love!
Middle School Film	Nina Gulati	8	ST. FRANCIS XAVIER CATHOLIC SCHOOL, Ft. Myers	The Holocaust: A Poem Collection

Each of the winners has been awarded an all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C., to visit the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum and other historic sites as well as the opportunity to participate in meetings with national and international dignitaries, accompanied by their parent/guardian and a teacher.

NSU President George Hanbury (left) and Barbra (second from right) and Craig Weiner, of the Holocaust Learning and Education Fund, congratulate winners in the statewide writing, essay and artwork contest commemorating the Holocaust. They include (from l. to r.): Elijah Bishop, Garrett Gold, Ariel Desler, Dominique Deer and Nina Gulati.

At the awards ceremony, the winning students had their work recognized by George L. Hanbury II, Ph.D., president and CEO, NSU; Ralph Rogers, Ph.D., provost and executive vice president of academic affairs, NSU; Craig R. Weiner, president, Holocaust Learning and Education Fund, Inc.; Nan Rich, former Florida State Senator and Senate minority leader as well as Program Directors and Directors of Holocaust Education and Diversity for Orange County, Broward County, and Palm Beach County Public School Systems. More importantly, the winning students were recognized by Holocaust survivors who attended the ceremony.

“This contest offers a wonderful and unique opportunity for Florida students to share their personal point of view about a most significant time in the world’s history through creative writing and artistic expression,” said Rogers. “NSU is proud to be a part of this important learning and teaching experience.”

A photo gallery of the event and winners can be viewed at the Holocaust Reflection Contest website: www.nova.edu/HolocaustContest.