Holocaust Writing & Art Contest  

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2013 Award Winners

Elementary Essay - Grades 3-5
1st place - Annabelle Poissant, Oak Grove Primary
2nd place -  Joseph Curtis, Runnels School
3rd place - Andy Froelich, Oak Grove Primary

Middle School Essay - Grades 6-8
1st place - Rachel Yura, Runnels School
2nd place - Jose Ortiz, Woodlawn Middle
3rd place -  Kaleb McDowell, Catholic Elementary

Middle School Art - Grades 6-8
1st place - Georgia Neka White, Westadale Middle
2nd place - Darinne Ner, Westdale Middle

Write an essay describing a plan that would create a "Bully Free" atmosphere at your school.  Consider how you would encourage students to be respectful of each other.  As you create your plan for your school, consider that what others say does matter.  It doesn't make a difference if words are written or spoken, they can make someone's day super special or really unbearable.  You may include visual cues such as posters to be place in the halls and/or cafeteria or a bumper sticker for your school that could spread the message outside of school.

Here is a link that may prove useful:
http://daytonholocaust.org/resourcesexhibits/education/bullying

• Posters may be no larger than 11" x 17"
• Bumper stickers may be no larger than 3.5" x 11"
• Grades 3-5 essays should be no more than 250 words
• Grades 6-12 essays should be no more than 500 words
• Include your name, home phone, teacher and school name on your entry

All entries must be MAILED (do not fax) to:
Evelyn Huckaby
The Advocate/Educational Services
P.O. Box 588
Baton Rouge, LA 70810

Prizes will be awarded at a special Holocaust Memorial ceremony on Sunday, April 7th at Congregation B'nai Israel, 3354 Kleinert Avenue in Baton Rouge.  The ceremony will begin at 4pm and end at 6pm.  Students may pick up their entries ONLY at the ceremony.  No extries will be returned by mail.

Prizes to be awarded as follows:
1st prize:  $50 gift card to Barnes & Noble and $50 cash
2nd prize: $35 gift card to Barnes & Noble and $25 cash
3rd prize: $35 gift card to Barnes & Noble and $20 cash

Questions or comments may be directed to Ellen Sager, 379.7393, or Evelyn Huckaby, 388.0228
This contest is sponsored by the Educational Services Department of The Advocate and the Jewish Federation of Greater Baton Rouge

Topic Information

What does bullying have to do with the holocaust?

Bullies target certain victions, not based on who they are, but often on appearance, sexual orientation, or religion.  There are also those who stand by and watch while others are victimized, and do nothing to stop it.  In many ways, the Holocaust embodies the cruelty of school bullying.

Just as many kids stand by while others are victimized, groups of people and even countries stood by and watched as over 11 million people were killed by the Nazis.  Having an anti-bullying program tied to an event about the Holocaust teaches students that their everyday choices and actions can make a hughe difference.

Bullying is becoming a national epidemic.  Children seem to be especially vulnerable to cyber-bullying.  Kids will post things to other kids that they would not say to that person face to face.  Frequently, when the bully is confronted, the response is, "I didn't know they would take it that way," or, "I didn't really mean what I wrote."

Of course, the problem is that once the words are "out there" they can do tremendous damage emotionally, and in some cases bullying even leads to suicide.

Please use this writing contest as a springboard for discussion in the classrom.