Voices of Hope

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Creative Contest

Who Can Apply:

  • Students in grades 7 through 12 may apply. Applicants must live in the state of Connecticut.
  • There will be two divisions for both the Art and Writing categories.
  • A student may submit only one entry per category.
  • The art or writing must not have been previously submitted to any other contest.
  • Division 1 will include grades 6-8
  • Division 2 will include grades 9-12

 Topics may include:

  • Acts of courage and heroism
  • Resistance and rescue
  • The consequences of indifference
  • Persecution, intolerance and injustice
  • Preserving humanity in situations of great adversity
  • History and lessons of the Holocaust

Writing Contest

Students may write an essay, newspaper article, play/dialogue, poem or story.

  • The entry must show evidence of thoughtful creativity and research.
  • The entry may not exceed 1,000 words, must be typed and double-spaced.
  • The entry must be submitted as a PDF file with the name “[FULL NAME], [GRADE}, Writing Submission”
  • Use of correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
  • A panel of judges will evaluate the entry on content, originality, quality of expression and accuracy.

Art Contest

Students may create a sculpture, drawing, photograph, painting, poster, collage or five-minute video, and submit an image of the art (or YouTube link) for judgment.

  • The entry must represent the independent effort of the student.
  • The art entry may not exceed the dimensions of 20” x 20”.
  • The sculpture entry may not exceed 18” x 18” x 18”.
  • For safety reasons, art (painting or sculpture) may NOT include real barbed wire, jagged glass or plastic.
  • For tangible art submissions, the entry must be submitted as a JPG or PDF file with the name “[FULL NAME], [GRADE}, Art Submission for Judgement”
  • For tangible art submissions, a second image must be submitted to verify the size and original work. In this picture, please include a ruler next to the piece and a post-it with the artist’s name. See contest rules for an example. Please title the file “[FULL NAME], [GRADE], Art Submission for Verification.”
  • For video art submissions, the entry must be a link to the video on YouTube.
  • A panel of judges will evaluate the entry for creativity, excellence and content.

Entries will be disqualified for any of the following reasons:

  • A parent/guardian states the student does not have permission to participate.
  • Entry does not adhere to guidelines as stated.
  • Entry is received after the deadline.

Download, print, and fill out the submission form below. Include the submission form with your essay.

All entries remain the property of the Holocaust Education Resource and Outreach (HERO) Center. By your participation in the contest, you grant the Center permission to publish the winning entries and names in brochures, flyers, online, other Center publications and exhibitions. Photo reproductions of the winning entries may also be made available to the news media. For additional information, email herocenter@ctvoicesofhope.org.

Please Return to This Site in Fall 2022 for the Call for Submissions.