Each year, Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District (PYLUSD) middle and high school students embrace the opportunity to participate in Chapman University’s Holocaust Remembrance Art and Writing Contest. This year’s contest theme, “Answering the Call of Memory: Choosing to Act,” resonated deeply with participants, drawing students from various parts of the world to partake in the event. This year marks the 25th anniversary of Chapman University’s Holocaust Art and Writing Contest, which was launched in 1999 as a partnership between the Rodgers Center for Holocaust Education and The 1939 Society.
To enter the competition, students delve into research focusing on the Holocaust and the tumultuous era of World War II. Each student embarks on a journey, immersing themselves in the personal narratives of Holocaust survivors or rescuers. Participants are tasked with crafting an original piece of prose, poetry, art, or film, echoing and contemplating upon the experiences shared.
PYLUSD has consistently showcased its commitment to this competition over the years, with students from nearly every middle and high school site actively participating. This year, the tradition continued, with over 800 total participants and 35 projects submitted for consideration in the contest.
The culmination of the contest came with the announcement of award winners and finalists during a ceremonious gathering hosted at Chapman University on Friday, March 15. Board of Education members, district and school administrators, and dozens of PYLUSD students and family members were in attendance for the special event. With Holocaust survivors and witnesses in attendance, the audience heard moving messages from speakers including Chapman University President, Daniel Struppa, Stern Chair in Holocaust Education and Director of the Rodgers Center for Holocaust Education, Marilyn Harran, The 1939 Society President, William Elperin, and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and Human Rights Activist, Nadia Murad.
Three finalist standouts from PYLUSD emerged, including Charlotte Quigley from Tuffree Middle School for poetry, Hyde Nguyen from Buena Vista Virtual Academy for art, and Isabella Dominici from Kraemer Middle School for film. Also from Buena Vista Virtual Academy, student Lelatasiosamoa (Lela) Fa’atutau’pule’ese’s Siufanua earned second place for her short film titled “Until One Day,” highlighting Holocaust survivor Renee Firestone’s story. Among hundreds of entries, these four PYLUSD students’ work shined brightly while achieving the important objective of the contest.
Congratulations to all PYLUSD students and teachers who played a part in this year’s competition! View the results of the contest here.
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