Local Buffalo school districts celebrate their students that won awards based on their art or writing.
BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Holocaust Education Resource Organization (HERO) of Buffalo announced the winners of their 2024 Arts and Writing Contest.
The theme was the 85th anniversary of the Kindertransport and the prompts were:
– Describe the challenge faced by the parents or children of the Kindertransport.
– Explore the theme of loss experienced by either the parents or children of the Kindertransport.
The contest was open to students from seventh to twelfth grade. Eighth grader, Faraz, from Williamsville’s Mill Middle School, won first place and best in show. He said in a Williamsville CSD video that his artwork “was inspired from the kids that were saved,” but leaving everything they knew behind.
“Faraz took a really good look at what happened to many Jewish families during World War II and he made his piece of art reflect the sadness of the times.” Josh Garver, Mill Social Studies teacher, said. “He did a fantastic job of sharing that, not only with our students, but now also in this arts and writing competition.”
Another winner, Mary Saper from Buffalo Academy of the Sacred Heart, designed a collage. Saper used articles about Kindertransport, and in the center she put an image of a stuffed bear. This bear represents the stuffed animal that Jack Hellman, 14 years old at the time, carried on his life-saving journey from Germany to Britain.
At the awards ceremony, they also celebrated the winners of the Sophia Veffer Upstander Award, Toby Ticktin Back Educator Award, and a new Abek Feigenblatt Student Upstander Award. These awards honor individuals who dedicate their time to educate about the Holocaust, or show leadership for standing up for what’s right.
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