2010 Leo & Antonia Gershanov Memorial Holocaust Essay Contest
"One Person Can Make a Difference: Eliminating Genocide in My Lifetime"
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 17, 2010 RIDGEWOOD HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS HONORED BY ILLINOIS HOLOCAUST MUSEUM & EDUCATION CENTER Finalists in 2010 Gershanov Memorial Student Essay Contest Examined How Individuals Can Address Contemporary Genocide SKOKIE – The Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center yesterday honored six students from Ridgewood High School as 2010 finalists of the biennial Leo & Antonia Gershanov Memorial Student Essay Contest, including the contest’s third place winner, Ioana Guler, and honorable mention, Wladyslaw Tylka. The students were joined by State Rep. Elaine Nekritz (D- 57) and State Sen. Jeff Schoenberg (D-9), family and friends, as well as educators and administrators from across the state. This year’s theme, “One Person Can Make a Difference: Eliminating Genocide in My Lifetime,” elicited more that 250 entries from Illinois high school students reflecting on how individuals can address contemporary genocide. The Ridgewood students were among 10 finalists selected by a panel of judges which included Paul Rusesabagina, the real-life hero of the acclaimed film Hotel Rwanda; Ann Gershanov, contest co-sponsor; and survivors of the Cambodian and Bosnian genocides. Ioana, a senior, and Wladyslaw, a sophomore, were awarded $1,000 and $500 U.S. savings bonds, respectively, and the school received a collection of Holocaust and genocide reference books for its library. Ridgewood senior Joanna Cison, and sophomores Katarzyna Gibas, Annalisa Nardulli and Nada Trivanovic were also honored as finalists with $100 savings bonds. Rusesabagina delivered the ceremony’s keynote address through live-streaming video. “Paul Rusesabagina was the ideal person to serve as our Master Judge for this year’s contest,” said Richard Hirschhaut, executive director, Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center. “His brave actions during the Rwandan genocide and continued advocacy through the Hotel Rwanda Rusesabagina Foundation demonstrate that individuals can and do play an enormous role in standing up to hatred and injustice.” The contest is sponsored by the Gershanov family – Peter and Ann Gershanov, Fred Gershanov, Ellen and Jeff London, and Holly and Norm Nelson – to carry on the legacy of Holocaust survivors Leo and Antonia Gershanov. Leo and Antonia settled in Chicago following World War II and devoted their time and resources to the fight against discrimination and prejudice. The biennial essay contest offers high school students throughout the state the opportunity to reflect on the contemporary nature of the Holocaust in their lives. “As always, judging this year’s entries was an enriching, yet difficult process,” said Ann Gershanov. “The student essayists offered incredible insight and sensitivity in discussing the importance of individual action in addressing genocide. It was very challenging to select the finalists among so many outstanding entries.” Likely the last international institution of its kind built with the active participation of Holocaust survivors, the Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center is the largest facility in the Midwest dedicated to preserving the memories of those lost in the Holocaust and to teaching current generations to fight hatred, indifference and genocide in today’s world. To learn more, visit www.ilholocaustmuseum.org. The 2010 Ridgewood winners of the Leo & Antonia Gershanov Memorial Student Essay Contest are: - Third Place: Ioana Guler, Ridgewood High School
- Honorable Mention: Wladyslaw Tylka, Ridgewood High School
- Finalists: Joanna Cison, Ridgewood High School
- Katarzyna Gibas, Ridgewood High School
- Annalisa Nardulli, Ridgewood High School
- Nada Trivanovic, Ridgewood High School
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