2023 Student Art Contest & White Rose Research Contest Winners

2023 Art Contest | Junior Division (Grades 6-8) | Winners:

 

1st Place

Scars

by Elena C.

A girl walks away from barbed wire carrying the star patch. Her dress is left with a mark. I got
the idea from “The Night Crossing” in which they remove the patches to escape. Many survivors
have memories; physical and mental scars they carry for the rest of their lives.


2nd Place

Turning a Blind Eye to Refuge Seekers

by Eva M.

I illustrated the tragedy of the St. Louis ship, with 900 Jewish refugees seeking safety
before Cuba, the United States and Canada rejected them. They returned to Europe where 1/3
of them were killed. In light of the theme “Never Again” I pray we never turn a blind eye to such
suffering again.


3rd Place

Not Just a Memory

by Eva B.

“Not Just a Memory” is a painting of the inside of a train. The luggage represents the
memories of the survivors that were lost. The nature represents the power being taken back.


Honorable Mention

Hidden Behind Trees

by David C.

The Keisch family and many others hid in the woods to survive during WWII. I can only
imagine the fear and sadness they felt being isolated and persecuted. The Keisch twins, Alex
and Witold, and their parents are in my art with the woods and people hiding as the
background.


2023 Art Contest | Senior Division (Grades 9-12) | Winners:

 

1st Place

Niedobitck

by Reese B.

This is a portrait of Ted Lehman, a Holocaust survivor. I wanted to draw him, because I
believe his story helps us see how we can grow and learn from our, and others’, pasts; no
matter how hard it gets.

The child’s hand and Ted’s hand, with his number, represent how Jews and survivors
have continued to thrive. They’ve had children, created a family, connected through their
experiences and continued to push forward despite Hitler’s past efforts. I added “Niedobitck” at
the bottom, which is Polish for survivor. Ted lived in Poland before the Holocaust, and I wanted
to represent that despite the pain and struggle caused by the Holocaust, he is still him.


2nd Place

Hatikvah

by Obaa A.

This piece is named “Hatikvah” because it means “The Hope” in Hebrew. I included the
butterflies to show that Holocaust survivors are our hope. The survivors have taught me more
about the value of life. They have greatly inspired me to fight for those who can’t do so
themselves.


3rd Place

The Flower of Hope

by Gina Y.

In the center of the composition stands a child against the bleak and desolate backdrop
of a concentration camp. The child is reaching out with a small, delicate arm towards a barbed wire
fence that separates him from the world outside. Despite the oppression and hopelessness that
surrounds him, the child clutches a pure white flower in his hand, a symbol of hope, innocence,
and beauty in a world that has been stripped of all three. The flower serves as a stark contrast
to the harsh surroundings, reminding us of the fragility and beauty of life, even in the midst
of unimaginable suffering. The expression on the child’s face is one of longing, as if he is trying
to reach out and touch something just out of his grasp. Perhaps it is a parent or loved one
on the other side of the fence, or the freedom and safety that lies beyond the camp’s
walls. Whatever the child is reaching for, the artwork serves as a powerful reminder of the
horrors of the Holocaust and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.


Honorable Mention

Because of Their Faith

by Allyson W.

In correspondence with the theme “Never Again”, I created a painting to highlight why
this will never happen again—because it must not. Innocent people were killed on the basis of
their faith, ethnicity, and a myriad of terrible reasons. Hopefully, the words “never again” truly
will be realized.


2023 White Rose Research Contest | Junior Division (Grades 8th-9th)
Winner:

Devyn B.

 
 

2023 White Rose Research Contest | Senior Division (Grades 10th-12th)
Winner:

Kali C.