Reflecting Through Art, Digital Media, Poetry and Essays
Using the testimonies of Holocaust survivors as inspiration, we can reflect on timeless lessons about perseverance, compassion, and the strength of the human spirit. The Holocaust Reflection Contest encourages students to consider how these lessons apply to their own lives and the future of our diverse society. Through art, poetry, essays, and digital media, students express their thoughts, feelings, and hopes in creative ways. The winning projects can help others explore these topics and the everlasting impact of the past.
Congratulations to all of our student winners.
While doing this project, I learned that you have to forgive people while not forgetting what happened to you in order to live in a peaceful world. It is important to think that there may be a light at the end of the tunnel. By thinking like this, it can encourage a person to get through the difficult times in their life."
2019 winner | Pembroke Pines Charter West Middle School
2025 High School Winners
Art
1st Place | What Remains
Art
By Amelie Cannon
Teacher: Richard Ehrlich
Alexander W Dreyfoos Junior School Of The Arts (10)
Public School – Palm Beach County
2nd Place | Locked Up
Art
By Kamila Figuera
Teacher: Amiee Sarajian
Cypress Bay High School (9) Public School – Broward County
Essays and Poems
1st Place | "Echoes of Hanna"
Essay/Poem
By Sarah Aguilera
Teacher: Amanda Mathis
Osceola County School Of Arts (9)
Public School - Osceola County
2nd Place | "Misery"
Essay/Poem
By Bralia Smith
Teacher: Richard Nagy
Pompano Beach High School (12)
Public School - Broward County
Digital Storytelling
2nd Place | "A Voice from the Holocaust: Lucille Eichengreen"
Digital Storytelling
By Rebecca Elitzur
Teacher: Meghan Wilk
David Posnack Day School (11)
Private School – Broward County
2025 Middle School Winners
Art
1st Place | "The Red Coat Remains"
Art
By Eden Gross
Teacher: Dahlia Nayman
Donna Klein Jewish Academy (8)
Private School – Palm Beach County
2nd Place | "Light in the Shadow of Death"
Art
By Ayden Brizo
Teacher: Luis Reyes
La Scuola (8)
Private School – Miami Dade County
Essays and Poems
1st Place | "Zwillenge"
Essay/Poem
By Nicolas Rossi-Montero
Teacher: Tessie Izquierdo
Glades Middle School (7)
Public School – Miami Dade County
2nd Place | "A Fire Remains"
Essay/Poem
By Zoe Spyridonos
Teacher: Joshua Bender
Don Estridge High Tech Middle School (8)
Public School - Palm Beach County
Digital Storytelling
1st Place | "Never Again"
Digital Storytelling
By Alexis Schiffman
Teacher: Karin Gannon
NSU University School (8)
Private School – Broward County
2nd Place | "The Necklace of Broken Pearls"
Digital Storytelling
By Katherine Kolbar
Teacher: Shira Greenberg
David Posnack Jewish Day School (8)
Private School – Broward County
How Are Winning Projects Selected?
Each year, we receive approximately 2,000 entries from more than 100 middle and high schools across the state of Florida. All contest submissions are judged by a panel of volunteer educators and community members. Judges select the winners based on the thoughtfulness and uniqueness of the student’s reflection; the clarity of their message as expressed through their project; and the level of skill and creativity evoked through their writing, art, or video production.
Prizes for the winners have included up to $1000 per student plus additional monies awarded to their teachers and schools, all-expense paid chaperoned trips to Washington, D.C.'s historical sites including the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, private tours of the Craig and Barbra Weiner Holocaust Museum, meetings with Holocaust survivors, and an annual awards ceremony and reception on the NSU campus.