Holocaust art/writing contest winners announced

By JEWISH REVIEW

article created on: 2009-05-28T00:00:00

Each year, the OHRC sponsors a writing and arts competition for middle and high school students, using a Holocaust-based theme. The objectives of the competitions are to encourage today’s youth to evaluate history, to foster an awareness of the Holocaust, and to broaden their minds in the areas of art, history, civics, sociology and literature.

At the May 17 awards ceremony, the first place winner of the senior art division, Adam Rozansky said, “I just wanted to say thank you for this honor. My painting ‘United as One’ shows a solemn man holding symbols of the three major religions. He is praying for the religions to have a mutual understanding of the horrors of the Holocaust, which will hopefully strengthen the bond between them.”

This competition is in memory of the late Sala Kryszek, a Holocaust survivor. Funded primarily by a grant from the Jakob Kryszek family, the top entry in both writing and art is awarded the Sala Kryszek Award, a trip to The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C. for one student, his/her teacher, and one parent. The OHRC provides three nights lodging, admission to the USHMM, and transportation.

The remaining 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners receive cash and the honorable mention an award certificate.

2009 ART WINNERS

SALA KRYSZEK AWARD
Aparna Parthasarathy, Valley Catholic High School

SENIOR DIVISION
1st: Adam Rozansky, Lake Oswego High School
2nd: Andrea Vandermolen, St. Mary’s Academy
3rd: Matt Marshall, Clackamas High School
Honorable Mention: Julia ReiHigh School, Sam Barlow High School

JUNIOR DIVISION
1st: Kelsey Cathcart, St. Ignatius School
2nd: Katherine Kelly, St. Ignatius School
3rd: Madi Clifford, St. Clare School
Honorable Mention: Laura Shonk, Neil Armstrong MS
Honorable Mention: Makenzie Spiller, St. Clare School

2009 WRITING WINNERS

SALA KRYSZEK AWARD
Trevor Scott, Tillamook High School

SENIOR DIVISION
1st: Katelyn Hurliman, Tillamook High School
2nd: Katie McAuliffe, Valley Catholic High School
3rd: Marisol DeLaCruz Monroy, Clackamas High School
Hon. Mention: Celena Gerken, Tillamook High School
Hon. Mention: Ryan Byrd, St. Helens High School

JUNIOR DIVISION
1st: Maddie McKerrow, Waluga Jr High
2nd: Nikki Pilkenton, Amity MS
3rd: Kurtis Cooper, Fred Patton MS
Honorable Mention: Taylor Stanton, St. Ignatius School
Honorable Mention: Christian Purnell, West Sylvan Middle School

Writing Award: To Help

BY TREVOR SCOTT

Behind old crumbly walls.
Behind old rusty gates.
Many stories untold.
Many stories unfold.
A tragedy beyond comprehension.
Many people were enabled.
Many people were unable.
Unable to help.
People. Watching. Waiting.
Wondering if they would be next.
Hoping. Crying. Screaming.
For help.
Anything that could be done.
Anyone that ever cared.
Their stories are screams.
That no one understands.
That no one wants to hear.
Listen, and help.
From old rotten bunks,
To chicken wire sheds.
So much despair.
Can anyone help rid their fear?
During their sleepless nights.
They scream and some cry.
A red light, burning atop the hill.
Someone has to be able to see.
Able to see, able to help!
Their wills are strong
But with sights like these,
How much longer can they hold out?
If they band together
They can help.
Help each other.
The pain of the sight.
Fire in the night.
Such a dark void.
So many lives destroyed.
We can help.
If every person that could.
If every person that would,
Did… the impossible task
Of being some ones savior.
If just for a day.
We could all change.
Instead of looking for the vain,
We could subside the pain.
By just helping others.
Our playing small,
Staying within ourselves,
Does not serve the world.
If we open up and show our inner light,
Then we can be liberated from ourselves.
Liberated from ourselves and help.
As we open up to better the world,
We automatically give others the Right.
The Right to….
Change.
Grow.
Help.
Show this world what we can do.
Show everyone we are united and willing.
United and willing to help.