Students from 31 states and eight countries took part in this year’s Sala and Aron Samueli Holocaust Art & Writing Contest. Presented by Chapman University’s Rodgers Center for Holocaust History and The 1939 Society, the annual contest is one of the world’s largest student engagement efforts dedicated to Holocaust remembrance. Now in its 26th year, it has reached nearly 160,000 students, involved over 2,000 educators, and connected participants from 45 states and 25 countries, highlighting the ongoing importance of Holocaust education at a time when awareness of historical events is gradually fading.
This year’s theme, “What Do You Bring When You Don’t Know Where You Are Going?”, asked middle and high school students to engage with Holocaust survivor testimonies and convey their reflections through prose, poetry, art and film. The contest continues to serve as a powerful platform for students to creatively explore and respond to this significant part of history, and the winners were invited to share their work before an audience that included survivors and the children of survivors.
“Whether their art promoted an idea, kept a memory alive, was reflective, shared moments of decision, or interpreted sorrow and hope, my students and I became more aware of the humanity that binds us all and how necessary art and writing are in keeping history alive,” said Barbara Gard, an educator from Mission Viejo, California.
This year’s competition included international entries from Hungary, Mexico, the Philippines, Poland, North Macedonia, Romania, South Africa and the United Kingdom. Along with first and second place winners in each category, an International Award of Recognition was presented to Saint Sava National College in Bucharest, Romania. Student Alexia-Irulan Mandache, along with teacher Denis Radu, participated via livestream where Mandache read her winning submission.
William Elperin, president of The 1939 Society, shared a memorable reflection from a past winner, recalling the words of a Holocaust survivor who addressed the participants: “You are the last generation that will meet Holocaust survivors.” The moment left a profound impact on many attendees, emphasizing the urgency of keeping these stories alive.
The event featured a keynote speech from Alexandra Zapruder, author of Salvaged Pages: Young Writers’ Diaries of the Holocaust. Referencing the contest’s theme, Zapruder encouraged the young participants to take responsibility for the future, saying, “The future belongs to the youth, it’s in your hands now. It’s uncertain but unfixed. We have to collaborate with others in order to shape it. I wish you courage and wisdom, pack wisely and well.”
Chapman University President Daniele Struppa praised the contestants, stating, “This contest speaks to the values of our university and the importance of remembrance. Congratulations to all participants for their dedication to learning and sharing these powerful stories.”
The ceremony concluded with closing remarks from Marilyn Harran, Stern Chair in Holocaust Education and director of the Rodgers Center for Holocaust Education. Harran announced that next year’s contest will take place on Friday, March 13, 2026.
2025 Contest Winners
Middle School Prose:
- First Place: Ashley Kwon, Lexington Junior High School (Teacher: Jessica Naudin)
- Second Place: Lindhan Pham, Izaak Walton Intermediate School (Teacher: Ellen Dominici.)
Middle School Poetry:
- First Place: Anabelle Lee, St. John’s Episcopal School (Teacher: Beth Sarachman)
- Second Place: Charlotte Morrison, Holy Family Catholic School (Teacher: Staci Trout)
Middle School Art:
- First Place: Lily Xu, Tarbut V’Torah Community Day School (Teacher: April Akiva)
- Second Place: Dawne Tsui, Tuffree Middle School (Teacher: Jenna Lind)
Middle School Film:
- First Place: Hannah Needham, Jefferson Middle School (Teacher: Yulia Cook)
- Second Place: Lucas Menendez, Acaciawood Preparatory School (Teacher: Mercy Hearne)
High School Prose:
- First Place: Janiny Maldonado, Sunny Hills High School (Teacher: Christina Zubko)
- Second Place: Amanda Gomez, Riverside Virtual School (Teacher: Leesa Rankins Moore)
High School Poetry:
- First Place: Katim Gossaye, Hawthorne Math and Science Academy (Teacher: Mindi Siegler)
- Second Place: Adina Tariq, Hawthorne Math and Science Academy (Teacher: Sophia Morris)
High School Art:
- First Place: Audrey Hess, Diamond Bar High School (Teacher: Vianney Hwang)
- Second Place: Esther Oh, Brea Olinda High School (Teacher: Delanie Hofacre)
High School Film:
- First Place: Anthony Samoylov, St. Edmund Preparatory High School (Teacher: Nikolaus Unger)
- Second Place: Téa Vu, University High School (Teacher: Griffee Albaugh)
