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This version of NSU News has been archived as of February 28, 2019. To search through archived articles, visit nova.edu/search. To access the new version of NSU News, visit news.nova.edu.
This version of SharkBytes has been archived as of February 28, 2019. To search through archived articles, visit nova.edu/search. To access the new version of SharkBytes, visit sharkbytes.nova.edu.
Winners of Statewide Holocaust Writing, Essay & Artwork Contest Announced
Statewide Contest Sponsored by NSU and the Holocaust Learning and Education Fund, Inc.
NSU President George Hanbury (left) and Barbra (second from right) and Craig Weiner, of the Holocaust Learning and Education Fund, congratulate winners in the statewide writing, essay and artwork contest commemorating the Holocaust. They include (from l. to r.): Elijah Bishop, Garrett Gold, Ariel Desler, Dominique Deer and Nina Gulati
By learning from the past, we enrich our future. Nova Southeastern University (NSU) joined forces with the Holocaust Learning and Education Fund, Inc. to sponsor the first Holocaust Reflection Contest, a statewide student essay, artwork, and film competition focusing on Holocaust education. Winners were recently announced at an award ceremony on NSU’s main campus.
Participating students from middle and high schools across Florida studied Holocaust survivor testimonials then created original essays, poems, visual art pieces and films inspired by what they learned. Winners in each genre included:
| Category | Student Name | Grade | School | Name of Winning Entry |
| High School Art | Helen Villarreal | 12 | JOHN I. LEONARD HIGH SCHOOL, Greenacres, FL | Remembrance |
| High School Essay/Poem | Garrett Gold | 9 | PALM BEACH CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL, Wellington, FL | Thanking God |
| High School Film | Ariel Desler | 12 | UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF NSU, Davie, FL | Never Forget |
| Middle School Art | Dominique Deer | 8 | VILLA MADONNA, Tampa, FL | The Bliss of Hope |
| Middle School Essay/Poem | Elijah Bishop | 8 | ANNUNCIATION CATHOLIC SCHOOL, Middleburg, FL | Faith! Hope! Love! |
| Middle School Film | Nina Gulati | 8 | ST. FRANCIS XAVIER CATHOLIC SCHOOL, Ft. Myers | The Holocaust: A Poem Collection |
Each of the winners has been awarded an all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C., to visit the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum and other historic sites as well as the opportunity to participate in meetings with national and international dignitaries, accompanied by their parent/guardian and a teacher.
At the awards ceremony, the winning students had their work recognized by George L. Hanbury II, Ph.D., president and CEO, NSU; Ralph Rogers, Ph.D., provost and executive vice president of academic affairs, NSU; Craig R. Weiner, president, Holocaust Learning and Education Fund, Inc.; Nan Rich, former Florida State Senator and Senate minority leader as well as Program Directors and Directors of Holocaust Education and Diversity for Orange County, Broward County, and Palm Beach County Public School Systems. More importantly, the winning students were recognized by Holocaust survivors who attended the ceremony.
“This contest offers a wonderful and unique opportunity for Florida students to share their personal point of view about a most significant time in the world’s history through creative writing and artistic expression,” said Rogers. “NSU is proud to be a part of this important learning and teaching experience.”
A photo gallery of the event and winners can be viewed at the Holocaust Reflection Contest website: https://www.undergrad.nova.edu/holocaust/
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About Nova Southeastern University (NSU): Located in beautiful Fort Lauderdale, Florida, NSU is a dynamic research institution dedicated to providing high-quality educational programs at the undergraduate, graduate and first-professional degrees levels. An independent, not-for-profit institution with approximately 25,000 students, NSU has campuses in Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Jacksonville, Miami, Miramar, Orlando, Palm Beach and Tampa, Florida as well as San Juan, Puerto Rico and online globally. For more than 50 years, NSU has been awarding degrees in a wide range of fields, while fostering groundbreaking research and an impactful commitment to community. Classified as a research university with “high research activity” by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, NSU is one of only 37 universities nationwide to also be awarded Carnegie’s Community Engagement Classification. For more information, please visit http://www.nova.edu/
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