All PYLUSD secondary sites participate in Chapman Holocaust Art and Writing Contest with one student identified as a finalist

Each year, Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District (PYLUSD) middle and high school students have the opportunity to participate in the Chapman University Holocaust Remembrance Art and Writing Contest. The theme of this year’s contest was “The Strength of Love and the Will to Survive.” Students participate in this contest from across the world.

To participate in the contest, PYLUSD students conducted research on the Holocaust and World War II. Each student was instructed to listen to the testimony of a Holocaust survivor or rescuer while thinking about that individual’s motivation in telling their story. Then, they were tasked with creating an original piece of art, film, or writing that retold and reflected upon the individual’s experience.

For many years, PYLUSD has been distinguished as a part of the competition as students from all middle and high school sites participate. This year was no exception as 8th grader Khiana Antoszek from Travis Ranch School was identified as a competition finalist for her film submission. Chapman received hundreds of entries and Khiana’s was one of very few distinguished as a finalist. Khiana was recognized along with her language arts teacher, Kimmi Carlos.

Award winners and finalists were announced during a ceremony held at Chapman University on Friday, March 10. Board of Education members, district and school administrators, and dozens of PYLUSD students were in attendance for the special event.

Congratulations to all of our PYLUSD students and teachers who played a part in this year’s competition!