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1120 20th Street NW, Suite 300N Washington, D.C. 20036

info@bnaibrith.org

202-857-6600

2016 – 2017 Diverse Minds Winners

Washington, D.C.
First Place: What Makes Me Beautiful
Written and illustrated by Ariya Feng

Thomas Sprigg Wootton High School

The winner of this year’s Diverse Minds Writing Challenge in the D.C.-metro area is “What Makes Me Beautiful,” written and illustrated by Ariya Feng, a junior at Thomas Sprigg Wootton High School in Rockville, Md. She was awarded a $5,000 college scholarship.​

In addition, the teacher who advised Feng, Sarah Debnam, received a $1,000 grant to use for classroom or organizational materials. Thomas Sprigg Wootton High School received a $500 grant. 

Diverse Minds is a contest for high school students to write and illustrate children’s books to help elementary school children celebrate tolerance and diversity. The winning book was announced the evening of June 7 at an awards ceremony hosted by Pepco-Exelon.

Second Place: Apples and Oranges
Written and illustrated by Janet Baindu Lagah-Bona and Río Castañeda-Guthreau
Duke Ellington School of the Arts

Janet Baindu Lagah-Bona and Río Castañeda-Guthreau from Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, D.C. wrote and illustrated “Apples & Oranges” and will share a $2,000 scholarship.

Third Place: The Star of the Show
Written and illustrated by Lauren Zhou
​and Michelle Li

Richard Montgomery High School

Lauren Zhou and Michelle Li from Richard Montgomery High School in Rockville, Md. wrote and illustrated “The Star of the Show” and will share a $1,000 scholarship.


Delmarva Peninsula
First Place: Cami’s Secret Talent
Written by Carly Palkon and
illustrated by Alexa Scotto

Ursuline Academy

The winner of this year’s Diverse Minds Writing Challenge in the Delmarva area is “Cami’s Secret Talent,” written by Carly Palkon and illustrated by Alexa Scotto from Ursuline Academy in Wilmington, Del. They were awarded a $5,000 college scholarship.

In addition, the teacher who advised Palkon and Scotto, Meg Kane-Smith, received a $1,000 grant to use for classroom or organizational materials. Ursuline Academy received a $500 grant. 

Diverse Minds is a contest for high school students to write and illustrate children’s books to help elementary school children celebrate tolerance and diversity. Palkon and Scotto were announced the winners at an award ceremony at the Delmarva Power Conference Center on June 6.

Second Place: Jungle Friends
Written and illustrated by Emma Edlin
Fallston High School

Second place winner Emma Edelin from Fallston High School in Bel Air, Md. wrote and illustrated “Jungle Friends” and received a $2,000 scholarship.

Third place: A Day With The New Kid
Written and illustrated by Kelly Mi
Charter School of Wilmington

Third place winner Kelly Mi from Charter School of Wilmington in Wilmington, Del. wrote and illustrated “A Day with the New Kid” and obtained a $1,000 scholarship.


Southern New Jersey
First Place: Neat And Orderly
Written and illustrated by Naomi Amadoro
​and Brianna Groch
Clearview Regional High School 

The winner of this year’s Diverse Minds Writing Challenge in southern  New Jersey is “Neat and Orderly,” written and illustrated by Naomi Amadoro and Brianna Groch from Clearview Regional High School in Mullica Hill, N.J.

In addition, the teacher who advised Amadoro and Groch, Michel Richard, received a $1,000 grant to use for classroom or organizational materials. Clearview Regional High School received a $500 grant. 

Diverse Minds is a contest for high school students to write and illustrate children’s books to help elementary school children celebrate tolerance and diversity. Beaver was announced the winner at an award ceremony at Atlantic City Electric Headquarters on June 7.

Second Place: Have A Little Bit Of Faith
Written and illustrated by Tatiana Ramos
Creative Arts Morgan Village Academy

Second place winner Tatiana Ramos from Creative Arts Morgan Village Academy in Camden, N.J. wrote and illustrated “Have a Little Bit of Faith” and will receive a $2,000 scholarship.
Third Place: The Dancing Turtle
Written and Illustrated by Tayla Ball
Kingsway Regional High School

Third place winner Tayla Ball from Kingsway Regional High School wrote and illustrated “The Dancing Turtle” and obtained a $1,000 scholarship.

New York City
First Place: I’m Going To Be Me
Written and illustrated by Yingchao He
and Trinh Nguyen 

Stuyvesant High School in New York, N.Y.

The winner of this year’s Diverse Minds Writing Challenge in the NYC-area is “I’m Going to Be Me,” written by Yingchao He and illustrated by Trinh Nguyen, seniors at Bronx High School of Science in Bronx, N.Y. By placing first, He and Nguyen will share a $5,000 college scholarship and their book has been professionally published.

Teacher Nick McConnell, who advised He and Nguyen on their first place book, received a $1,000 grant to be used for classroom or organizational materials. Bronx High School of Science also received a $500 grant.

Diverse Minds is a contest for high school students to write and illustrate children’s books to help elementary school children celebrate tolerance and diversity. He and Nguyen were announced the winners at an award ceremony at the Actors Temple Theatre on June 21

Second Place: Career Day 
Written and illustrated Jackson Rocke
and Ella Shea
Bronx High School of Science
and The Renaissance Charter School


Second place winners Jackson Rocke and Ella Shea, also from Bronx High School of Science and The Renaissance Charter School in Jackson Heights, N.Y. wrote and illustrated “Career Day” and will share a $2,000 scholarship.
Third Place: Colors Of The Sea 
Written and illustrated by Emma Fujita
Townsend Harris High School

For the second year in a row, Townsend Harris High School in Queens, N.Y had a student place in the top three: Third place winner Emma Fujita wrote and illustrated “Colors of the Sea” and won a $1,000 scholarship.


Previous Winners


Sponsors

Washington D.C. Metro Area, Delmarva Peninsula and Southern New Jersey Sponsors:
New York City Metro Area Sponsor:

Contact Us

Diverse Minds Youth Writing Challenge
B’nai B’rith International 

4605 Lankershim Blvd, Suite 710
Los Angeles, CA 91602

Email: diverseminds@bnaibrith.org
Phone: 1-888-838-2499 

For media inquires, please contact mediarelations@bnaibrith.org.

If you are with a foundation or corporation that would like more information about sponsoring the Diverse Minds Youth Writing Challenge in your city, or you are with a non-profit community organization who would like to receive donated books, please contact Melanie Marconi at mmarconi@bnaibrith.org or 888-838-2499 .


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