Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN — As part of its annual Community Holocaust Commemoration for Yom Hashoah (Holocaust Remembrance), the Jewish Community Relations Council of the Youngstown Area Jewish Federation hosted a student Holocaust writing, art and multimedia contest.

Winners were recognized at the annual Community Yom Hashoah Commemoration Ceremony at the Mahoning County Courthouse on April 14. Yom Hashoah is an internationally recognized day set aside for remembering all victims of the Holocaust and for reminding society what can happen to civilized people when bigotry, hatred and indifference reign.

Students in grades 7 to 12 were invited to submit an original piece of poetry, narrative composition, art or multimedia piece.

The theme for this year’s contest was “When Time Stood Still: The Fate of Jewish Families and Communities During the Holocaust.” It was inspired by the 18-panel exhibit from Yad Vashem that highlights how each of the 6 million victims was more than just a number. Every individual had a unique identity — a life filled with hopes, fears, dreams, ambitions, and most importantly, family.

The Holocaust devastated Jewish families and communities across Europe. Synagogues, cemeteries, and cultural institutions were destroyed. In many cases, Holocaust survivors returned to their hometowns after liberation to find no one from their families alive.

This year’s winners in the Student Holocaust Writing, Art and Multimedia contest are:

• Grades 7 and 8 poetry — London Cowan, Akiva Academy, 1st; Eli Lipinsky, Austintown Middle School, 2nd; Lillian Agnone, Lowellville High School, 3rd; and Noah Johnson, Akiva Academy, 4th.

• Grades 7 and 8 essay — Rebecca Sakelaris, Akiva Academy, 1st; James Perrin, Austintown Middle School, 2nd; Roei Sigler, Akiva, 3rd; and Joshua Martin, Akiva, 4th.

• Grades 7 and 8 multimedia — Phoenix Patterson, Austintown Middle School, 1st; Sarah Baquero, Akiva, 2nd; and Annabelle Holbrook, Austintown Middle School, 3rd.

• Grades 9 and 10 poetry — Alaina Jackson, West Middlesex High School, 1st; Cameron Kenney, Boardman High School, 2nd; and Ta’Lea Feliciano, Boardman High School, 3rd.

• Grades 9 and 10 essay — Madison Khoury, Boardman High School, 1st; Chloe Smith, Boardman High School, 2nd; and Audrey Lorenzi, Boardman, 3rd.

• Grades 9 and 10 multimedia — Stella Mitchell, Boardman, 1st; Olivia Cuevas, Boardman, 2nd; and Lainey Powell, Boardman, 3rd.

• Grades 11 and 12 poetry – Annabella Smiley, West Middlesex High School, 1st; Meredith Massey, West Middlesex, 1st (tie); Zachary Sodeman, Boardman, 2nd; Avary Stover, West Middlesex, 3rd; and Kylah Helscel, Boardman, 4th.

• Grades 11 and 12 essay — Rogen Lewis, West Middlesex, 1st; Jasmine Kortes, Boardman, 2nd; Lucy Briggs, West Middlesex, 3rd; and Remington Fish, Boardman, 4th.

• Grades 11 and 12 multimedia — Allyson Farley, Crestview High School, 1st.

The Jewish Community Relations Council represents the Jewish communities of Mahoning and Trumbull counties in Ohio and Mercer and Lawrence counties in Pennsylvania to safeguard the rights of Jews here, in Israel and around the world.