Four students from a Cheshire secondary school have won a major anti-hate challenge organised by the University of Southern California (USC) Shoah Foundation and global edtech leader Discovery Education.
The students from Sandbach High School, were awarded top prizes in the UK category of the international Stronger Than Hate Challenge after creating pieces of artwork and a short film about hate crime. Inspired by the testimony of holocaust survivors, the students’ winning entries were designed to encourage people around the world to unite against racism.
Impressing US-based competition judges, the four students received scholarships and iPads. The judges said that the Sandbach students “demonstrated excellence in leveraging testimony and creativity to promote empathy, understanding, and respect in their local communities.”
The 4 winning students are:
Joint first prize Chloe Heath and Sophie Kaler
Chloe’s winning entry was ‘Silence is Compliance’, a beautiful iPad drawing inspired by the testimonies of holocaust survivors. Chloe said:
“After watching the testimonies, I have been filled with hope. I have learnt about many beautiful acts and how they have drastically improved countless lives. My work reflects the disappointment I feel for the people who silently stood by and watched genocides take place and also represents how genocide destroys communities emotionally and physically.
Chloe will receive a £5,000 scholarship.
Sophie’s winning entry was ‘An Anti-Racist World’, a colourful piece of art inspired by Diane Uwera, a survivor of the Rwandan Genocide. Sophie said:
“I have a dream of an anti-racist world. I hope that more people will come to realise the need to be kind to everyone, everywhere. I hope they will strive to create a world like the one on my piece; we should all want to live in a colourful, diverse, anti-racist world, where people like Diane shouldn’t have to suffer or hide. I hope that my work inspires others, just like Diane inspired me.”
Sophie will receive a £5,000 scholarship.
Third prize Evelyn Tickner and Eleanor Taylor
Evelyn and Eleanor were awarded joint third prize for their animated short film, ‘Love is a Gift’. Watch the video here.
“In order to spread the stop hate message, we will share it with our friends and family, put it on our church page, share it on our social media and throughout our school”, said Evelyn and Eleanor.
Evelyn and Eleanor will share a £500 scholarship.
Now in its third year here in the UK, The Stronger Than Hate Challenge was launched in March along with special classroom resources to help teachers and students recognise and counter hate and discrimination. Freely available at TeachingWithTestimony.com/challenge-uk, these expert resources and videos will empower students to employ empathy, build critical-thinking skills and become inspired to create a brighter future after listening to first-hand accounts from survivors and witnesses of genocide.
“Research shows us that students are facing a mental health crisis. The Stronger Than Hate Challenge empowers students to creatively express the power of empathy, understanding, and respect. Congratulations to the 2022 winners and the change you’re already making in the world,” said USC Shoah Foundation Interim Director of Education and Outreach, Lesly Culp.
“Teaching with Testimony – and the Stronger Than Hate Challenge – are wonderful examples of how students are creating a more peaceful and collaborative world,” said Amy Nakamoto, General Manager of Social Impact at Discovery Education. “We are proud to stand alongside USC Shoah Foundation in putting testimony in classrooms nationwide.”
Connecting educators to a vast collection of high-quality, curriculum-matched content, ready-to-use digital lessons, intuitive quiz and activity creation tools, and professional learning resources, Discovery Education provides educators an enhanced learning platform that facilitates engaging, daily teaching.
For more information about Discovery Education’s award-winning digital resources and professional learning services, visit www.discoveryeducation.co.uk , and stay connected with Discovery Education on social media through Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
About USC Shoah Foundation
USC Shoah Foundation – The Institute for Visual History and Education develops empathy, understanding and respect through testimony, using its Visual History Archive of more than 55,000 video testimonies, award-winning IWitness education program, and the Center for Advanced Genocide Research. USC Shoah Foundation’s interactive programming, research and materials are accessed in museums and universities, cited by government leaders and NGOs, and taught in classrooms around the world. Now in its third decade, USC Shoah Foundation reaches millions of people on six continents from its home at the University of Southern California.
About Discovery Education
Discovery Education is the global leader in curriculum-aligned digital resources, engaging content, and professional learning for primary and secondary classrooms. Through its award-winning digital textbooks, multimedia resources, and the largest professional learning network of its kind, Discovery Education is transforming teaching and learning, creating immersive STEM experiences,and improving academic achievement around the globe. Discovery Education currently serves approximately 4.5 million educators and 45 million students worldwide, and its resources areaccessed in over 140 countries and territories. Inspired by the global media company Discovery, Inc., Discovery Education partners with local authorities, academy trusts, schools and like-minded organisations to empower teachers with customised solutions that support the success of all learners.
Contact
Angie Shatford, Press Officer
Email: ashatford@discoveryed.com
