“Holocaust education is important as educators teach students critical core values connected to good citizenship and acting as upstanders in their communities. Besides the obvious importance of teaching thorough, accurate history, Holocaust education is critical to help students understand how not speaking out or standing up for others, using others as scapegoats, shifting blame and false propaganda campaigns can all lead to the worst of human atrocities. The Annual Akron-Summit Holocaust and Genocide Arts and Writing Contest is an excellent vehicle for teachers to use to teach this important contest. It provides students access to difficult history through a thematic focus that gives them the opportunity to think creatively and critically to craft a personal response to events in history. It gives teachers and students the ability to explore this history with depth as opposed to merely learning facts and dates. Ultimately, by allowing students to create works of art for public consumption and recognition, it elevates their work in a way that is more powerful than what can be accomplished inside the classroom alone. It also helps to educate and remind the wider community of the monumental importance of continuing to teach and learn about this dark period in human history.”

“As an English teacher, I have the responsibility and joy of selecting literature for my students.  I want them to read great books that are eloquently and beautifully written, but the books also need to resonate with young people.  And I hope that the books I choose for my students offer important life lessons.  This is a tall order.  Elie Wiesel’s memoir Night meets all of these requirements, and now more than ever, the lessons of history revealed in his story crackle with relevance and urgency.  Young people need to understand the dangers of prejudice, bigotry, and injustice.  They need to know that paths to justice exist, and that even during the Holocaust, courageous and righteous acts could save lives.  The Akron Summit Council on Genocide and Holocaust Education offers an outstanding program for students that allows for rich, rigorous study of the Holocaust.  The annual contest proposes a topic about which students may write or create art pieces.  My students move beyond Wiesel’s story and into this period of history as they examine other personal narratives, documents, visuals, and artifacts.  The Council offers an array of research resources that accurately reflect the Holocaust.  Additionally, human resources are ready to answer questions, suggest speakers, and visit my classroom.  The contest is an authentic project based learning experience that engages my students in specific aspects of the Holocaust that interest them.  They choose the direction, type of writing or art, and resources that suit their purpose.  This educational journey reminds them that in order to prevent atrocities, we must remember the past and make conscious choices and decisions every day to create a more just and peaceful world. “

I think it safe to say that many people, from time to time, enjoy a good-hearted contest, perhaps even one resulting in something tangible, whether that be some form of visual praise, or maybe even something of monetary value. Students are no different; and sometimes they need such a motivator. but this Holocaust-themed contest is different. ultimately, this contest’s value lies not in the hope of an external prize, but one that is internal. honestly, and i’m not just saying this — seeing a student grow in compassion, kindness, and empathy is a prize that is longest- lasting and most rewarding. my hope is that the students are impacted by the same ideal.