JCRC names winners of writing and art contest

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

The Jewish Community Relations Council of the Youngstown Area Jewish Federation recently hosted a Student Holocaust Writing and Art Contest as part of its 26th annual Community Holocaust Commemoration for Yom Hashoah.

Yom Hashoah is an internationally recognized day to remember all victims of the Holocaust and to remind society what can happen when bigotry, hatred and indifference reign.

The category, local winner’s name, prize and school they attend are:

POETRY

Grades 7-8

Ariella Westreich, first place, Akiva Academy

Sophie Heschmeyer, second place, Akiva Academy

Aiden Baird, third place, Boardman Glenwood Junior High School

Aeryonnah Zura, honorable mention, Austintown Middle School

Connor Smith, honorable mention, AMS

Deleonte Willis Jr., honorable mention, BGJHS

Grades 9-10

Gianna Lepore, first place, Kennedy Catholic High School

Brady Smith, second place, Beaver Local High School

Hailee Tewksbury, third place, Sebring McKinley Jr./Sr. High School

Elizabeth Kolkowski, honorable mention, BLHS

Grades 11-12

Sarah Varga, first place, Boardman High School

Jakob Peters, second place, BHS

Marissa Scott, third place, United Local High School

MEDIA

Grades 9-10

Carmen Surano, first place, KCHS

Thomas Rainey, first place, KCHS

ESSAY

Grades 7-8

Nathan Collier, second place, BGJHS

Kara Pirone, third place, AMS

Grades 9-10

Morgan Cheurco, first place, East Palestine High School

Caley Boyd, second place, BLHS

Grades 11-12

Andrew Theophanous, first place, BHS

Sydney Jones, second place, BHS

ART

Grades 7-8

Taniya Phillips, first place, Akiva

Lucas Vargo, second place, Akiva

Grades 11-12

Gabrielle Hill, first place, SMJSHS

The JCRC represents the Jewish communities of Mahoning and Trumbull counties and of the Shenango Valley. It strives to protect, preserve, and promote a just, democratic and pluralistic American society and to safeguard the rights of Jews here, in Israel and around the world.