You can play a critical role in an incredibly inspiring program: Stop the Hate®: Youth Speak Out. An anticipated 4,000 6 – 12th graders from across Northeast Ohio participate in the essay contest, sharing ways they can help end indifference and discrimination in their community. These upstanders are rewarded with $100,000 in cash prizes and scholarships, but we need people like you to read and score their essays. To volunteer your time and talents now, click here. If you still need to be convinced, by all means . . . read on.
1. It’s inspiring. Many of these essay submissions contain astute observations and incredible words of wisdom that will not only reassure you that there is an insightful generation of future leaders out there, but they might also inspire you to enact positive change.
2. Your input helps us reward deserving students with money for college. There’s a lot at stake here. Your opinions help us determine who among the juniors and seniors will be the recipient of the first place $40,000 scholarship. With the rising cost of higher education, that’s not too shabby. Second prize is a $15,000 scholarship and third prize is $10,000 scholarship. Other awards include seven Honorable Mentions at $500 each, and five $300 awards to the winners from grades 6-10.
3. We make it possible for you to participate from anywhere. Really, anywhere . . . even sitting on your couch in your pajamas. Although the contest is only open to students in Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Medina, Portage, and Summit counties, you don’t have to live in Ohio to get involved! The scoring process takes place online, and essay readers hail from all over the country. A group of district court judges in Minneapolis already decided to get involved as essays readers this year, as have volunteers from California, St. Louis and New York.
4. You’d be our hero. Well, at least one thing is super clear–without you, we couldn’t make this happen. We need 300 – 700 essay readers to make sure each essay is read multiple times and fairly assessed. We depend on each volunteer to read and score 15 – 25 typed essays, based on a Museum-provided rubric. Every reader counts! Recruit your friends and family as well to make sure each essay gets a fair shot.
5. We’re an appreciative group. In appreciation for your service, you’re invited to mingle with your fellow readers, enjoy a glass of wine and some hors d’oeuvres on Wednesday, January 21 at 5:30pm. After hearing a brief presentation about how to score the essays, we’ll cut you loose to explore the Museum collection and the special exhibition, State of Deception: The Power of Nazi Propaganda, free of charge.
If you’re an out-of-towner or simply unable to attend we’ll make the training materials available online. We’ll also make sure to send you a big, virtual “thank you” in recognition of your participation.
—Laura Steefel-Moore, Director, Volunteers & Visitor Services
