Now in its fifteenth year, and as timely as ever, the Maltz Museum in Beachwood, is proud to name the Top Twenty Student Finalists for the 2023 Stop the Hate Youth Speak Out Awards and Top Ten Class Finalists for the 2023 Stop the Hate Youth Sing Out Awards.
This year, 3,000 Northeast Ohio students participated in the Stop the Hate contest by writing individual essays or group songs and submitting entries for their chance to win prizes for themselves and their schools. All the entries are inspirational, celebrating the voices of young people who are creating a more accepting and inclusive society.
Although every student who participates in the contest will receive a congratulatory Upstander Certificate and all participating schools will share an award, the big awards go to the essay finalists in sixth through twelfth grade who are vying for prizes and scholarships ranging in amounts of $100 all the way up to $20,000. Two Stop the Hate Teachers of the Year will also be named.
Through the generosity of Milton and Tamar Maltz, the Maltz Museum’s Stop the Hate Youth Speak Out and Youth Sing Out contest annually awards a grand total of $100,000 to Northeast Ohio middle and high school students, teachers, and schools, who are standing up to bias and discrimination through individual essays and group songs. The winners will be named on Wednesday, April 19, at 7:00 pm online via Zoom in a virtual ceremony. The event is free and open to the public; advance registrations required to receive the link. Register online at www.maltzmuseum.org/STH23.
Here are the names of the student and class finalists and what they are competing to win:
YOUTH SPEAK OUT (STUDENT ESSAYS)
11 & 12 Graders Competing for Scholarships in the amount of $20,000 Grand Prize; $10,000 First Runner-up; $5,000 Second Runner-up, $1,000 Honorable Mentions
Diya Chaterpal, Grade 11, Rhodes College and Career Academy
Carmen Cicerini, Grade 12, Hawken School
Avelyn Cleary, Grade 11, Lakewood High School
Simone Davis, Grade 11, Solon High School
Naomi Glass, Grade 12, Green High School
Gabryella Glenn, Grade 11, Rhodes College and Career Academy
Misa Huls, Grade 12, Avon Lake High School
Gianna Miller, Grade 12, Rocky River High School
Myla Miller, Grade 12, Berea-Midpark High School
Aditi Sanghavi, Grade 12, Aurora High School
6th through 10th Graders Competing for Cash Prizes in the amounts of $400 & $100
6th grade
Grace Claassen, Hudson Middle
Stella Sipos, Hudson Middle
7th grade
Olivia Piazza, Learwood Middle
Tia Tian, Hathaway Brown
8th grade
Ritika Iyer, Beachwood Middle School
Annaya Jain, Beachwood Middle School
9th grade
Katie Smith, Firelands High School
Isabella Swol, Hawken School
10th grade
Ezra Ellenbogen, Shaker Heights High School
Kyle Carroll, Hudson High School
YOUTH SING OUT (CLASS SONGS)
High School Finalists Competing for Anti-bias Grants for their Schools
“Be the Difference” by Barthelma Adams’ 6th Period Class, Max S. Hayes High School
Teaching Artist: Esther Fitz
“Defend Ourselves” by Kim Huckaby’s 1st Period Class, Max S. Hayes High School
Teaching Artist: Josee McGee
“Life is Full of Color” by William Lawton’s 1st Period Class, Midview High School
Teaching Artist: Ray Flanagan
“The Right Way Is My Way” by Kim Huckaby’s 5th Period Class, Max S. Hayes High School
Teaching Artist: Sam Hooper
“Where Does the Fault Lie?” by Kari Beery’s 6th Period Class, Mayfield High School
Teaching Artist: Taylor Lamborn
Middle School Finalists Competing for Anti-bias Grants for their Schools
“A Smile on Your Face” by Lisa Blasko’s 7th Grade Class, Harding Middle School
Teaching Artist: Charlie Mosbrook
“Harmony” by Mary Matisak’s 5th Period, 3rd Quarter Class, Milkovich Middle School
Teaching Artist: Esther Fitz
“Judge Not” (rap) by Sharae Durrah’s 5th & 7th Period Class, Monticello Middle School
Teaching Artist: Charlie Mosbrook
“Respect is a Two Way Street” by Tamara Blair’s 7th Grade, 1st Period, Newton D Baker School of Arts
Teaching Artist: Bethany Svoboda
“Take a Break” (rap) by Sharae Durrah’s 3rd & 4th Period Class, Monticello Middle School
Teaching Artist: Charlie Mosbrook
FIND OUT WHO WILL WIN
Direct link to Register for the Virtual Awards Ceremony:
15th Annual Stop the Hate Youth Speak Out & Youth Sing Out Awards Ceremony
On Wednesday, April 19 at 7pm, be inspired by young people of different cultures, backgrounds, and identities raising their voices to effect positive change in their communities. Online and free!
- Meet the top 20 Youth Speak Out essay contest finalists from grades six through twelve.
- Hear the essays of the 11th & 12th grade finalists competing for a $20,000 college scholarship.
- Discover which schools wrote the winning Youth Sing Out song lyrics.
- Celebrate the 2022 Stop the Hate Teachers of the Year.
- Find out how your student or school can participate next year.
Thank you to the Youth Speak Out volunteer essay readers and the dedicated judges for the 2023 year: Nina Domingue, Artistic Associate, Karamu House, Eduardo Kim, Partner, Thompson Hine LLP, Gregg Levine, Consultant, Ratliff & Taylor, Cecilia Render, Executive Director, Nordson, Corporation Foundation, Holly Trifiro, Chief Education Officer, Office of Mayor Justin M. Bibb
Thank you to the Youth Sing Out songwriting contest judges for the 2023 year: Joe Butler, Manager of Education, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Edward P. Gallagher, Director of Education, The Beck Center for the Arts, Jeff Niesel, Music Editor, Cleveland Scene, Treva Offutt, Director of Education, Playhouse Square
Stop the Hate® is made possible by the generous support of The Semi J. & Ruth W. Begun Foundation, Callahan Foundation, Chelm Family Foundation, Dealer Tire, Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation, The Harry K. and Emma Rosenfeld Fox Charitable Foundation, The John and Peggy Garson Family Foundation, Martha Holden Jennings Foundation, Maltz Family Foundation, Nordson Corporation Foundation, and The Helen and Louis Stolier Family Foundation.
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About the Maltz Museum: Rooted in the Jewish value of respect for all humanity, the Maltz Museum explores diverse stories of courage from history and today so that there can be a more inclusive tomorrow. The museum is generously supported by Cuyahoga Arts & Culture, the Jewish Federation of Cleveland, and Ohio Arts Council. For tickets call 216-593-0575 or visit www.maltzmuseum.org
About Stop the Hate: The Stop the Hate contest is now in its fifteenth year and has reached an estimated 50,000+ students across twelve Northeast Ohio counties. Students who take the museum tour in-person or online use object-based learning to explore what it means to be a bystander, upstander, or perpetrator. Students examine global events like the Holocaust and national events like the Civil Rights Movement. Reflecting on this history, students also reflect on bias and discrimination they have experienced or witnessed in their own lives and consider what role they play as an individual in being the change they want to see in the community. In 2023, the total amount of scholarships, prizes, and anti-bias education grants awarded through the contest to Northeast Ohio students, teachers, and schools will be $1.5 million. For more information about the program please visit learn.maltzmuseum.org or contact education@mmjh.org
Location, Admission, & Hours: The Maltz Museum is located at 2929 Richmond Road in Beachwood, OH. Admission is $12 adults, $10 seniors (60+) and students, $5 youth (5-11), and FREE for Maltz Museum Members and children under 5. Museum hours: Tuesday – Sunday, 11 am – 5 pm and Wednesday, 11 am – 9 pm. The Museum is closed Mondays and for most major holidays. Please check our website for a complete listing.
Museums for All: We offer free general admission to individuals and families with a Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card or a Women, Infants, & Children (WIC) card. Visitors must present a valid form of photo ID. To claim free tickets, please call 216-593-0575 prior to visiting.
