Westake Senior One of 10 Vying For $100,000 in Maltz Contest

Westlake High School senior Adrian Simion is one of 10 finalists in the Malt Museum of Jewish Heritage “Stop the Hate: Youth Speak Out!” essay contest.

Adrian will now compete for $100,000 in scholarships and prizes by giving an oral presentation of their essay at an awards ceremony on May 2 at Severance Hall.

The contest was open to public, private and home-schooled students in Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Medina, Portage and Summit counties.

All submitted essays have been read and scored by more than 200 community volunteers.

These 10 finalists were narrowed down from 25 semi-finalists after a panel of select judges read their essays.

Judges this year include Cash Mob co-founder Andrew Samtoy, Judge Dan Aaron Polster, Eaton Corporation Senior Manager Evan Ishida and editor of The Plain Dealer Debra Adams Simmons.

The finalists compete for three, four-year college scholarships (one each $50,000, $25,000 and $15,000) by giving oral presentations at an awards ceremony on May 2 at Severance Hall. They and younger students compete for cash prizes, class visits to the Museum, and resource materials for their schools. Finalists in grades 6-10 were announced earlier this month.

 “We couldn’t be more thrilled with the quality of the essays this year,” Jill Rembrandt, Maltz Museum Director of Education and Public Programs, said. “It is clear that students feel that the contest allows them to have a voice and create change in their classrooms and communities. The Maltz Museum is so proud to be a change agent, promoting diversity and tolerance in Northeast Ohio.”

In 2008, the the Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage created a contest to encourage middle and high school students to focus attention on the corrosive effects of hatred, discrimination and intolerance while developing critical thinking, problem solving and communication skills.

The essay asks, “What would you do to stop hatred and discrimination?”

Submitted essays address a variety of issues, from cyberbullying and racism to anti-Semitism, and LGBT issues, offering heartfelt and innovative solutions.