In preparation for the 2014 New Jersey Diverse Minds Youth Writing Challenge, Mary Kate Donahue from Cherokee High School spent a month writing and illustrating her masterpiece.

The finished product, “If No One Was Different,” won first place in the New Jersey contest, earning her a $5,000 college scholarship and her very first published title.

The Diverse Minds Youth Writing Challenge is an education and awareness initiative created by B’nai B’rith International as one of its programs that promote tolerance and communicate a message of equality among all citizens, regardless of race, religion, national origin, gender or sexual orientation. The New Jersey event was sponsored by Atlantic City Electric.

Speaking to the Burlington County Times, Donahue said that the story took about one month to create, from conception to finished product.

In addition to the scholarship and certificate she received at the B’nai B’rith Awards Ceremony, Donahue has also been honored by the Camden County Board of Freeholders, Board of Chosen Freeholders, the Borough of Avalon and the New Jersey Senate and General Assembly for her published piece.