SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS (May 3, 2024) — The Simon Wiesenthal Center, through its Illinois Mobile Museum of Tolerance, announced the winners of its 4th annual “Your Voice: Changing the World, One Speech at a Time” contest. The competition, which was open to students between sixth to twelfth grades, challenged participants to craft a three-minute, 450-word essay based on Simon Wiesenthal's statement: “The history of man is the history of crimes, and history can repeat. So information is a defense against repetition.”More than 50 students from across Illinois showcased their dedication to embracing tolerance through compelling essays, sharing their insights and experiences. Finalists transformed their essays into recorded speeches that were evaluated by a distinguished panel on April 14.
“By engaging students, schools, and communities, the Mobile Museum of Tolerance (MMOT) seeks to empower individuals to recognize the threats of intolerance and take meaningful steps toward a more inclusive and compassionate society,” said Jacqueline Carroll, Director of the Mobile Museum of Tolerance. “The purpose of this essay contest was to engage students to think creatively about how they can combat hate and promote tolerance in their lives and in their communities. We are proud to have had such a strong response from Illinois’ students.”
The winners of this year's contest are as follows:
- Amelia Hwang, a sixth-grader from Oscar Mayer Magnet School in Chicago, emphasized the pivotal role of information in catalyzing change in our contemporary world, securing victory in the middle school division. Ruby Durgin, an eighth-grader from Percy Julian Middle School in Oak Park, took second place, with Amanda Warmington, a seventh-grader from John R Lewis School in Waukegan, securing third place.
- Amine Onochie, a twelfth-grader from Disney II Magnet High School in Chicago, whose essay underscored the significance of learning from history to foster individual and societal growth. Eden Duckworth, a tenth-grader from Fairfield Community High School in Fairfield, secured second place, while Lucas Rosenthal, also a tenth-grader from Gillespie High School in Gillespie, claimed third place.
This year’s contest finalists’ speeches are available for viewing here: https://vimeo.com/935570207/15f66c6ec8.For more on the essay contest and the MMOT, visit the MMOT’s website at mmot.com or follow MMOT on social media.
- Facebook: facebook.com/MobileMOT/
- Instagram: instagram.com/mobilemuseumoftolerance_
The Simon Wiesenthal Center is an international Jewish human-rights organization. It holds consultative status at the United Nations, UNESCO, the OSCE, the Council of Europe, the OAS, and the Latin American Parliament (PARLATINO).
