The tale of a young girl experiencing an array of cultures on a visit to New York City earned Townsend Harris High School’s Emma Rabin-Court first place in the 2009 Diverse Minds Youth Writing Challenge, as was announced at a June 12 ceremony at the sophomore’s high school. The story, Lucie Goes to the Big City, secured the top prize for Rabin-Court in this third-annual competition celebrating diversity. The children’s book is slated to be professionally published and Rabin-Court received a $5,000 college scholarship. Additionally, Rabin-Court’s teacher and sponsor for the competition, Aliza Sherman, will also receive a stipend for her contribution.
“The work and thought these young people have put into their books is truly remarkable,” said B’nai B’rith International Executive Vice President Daniel S. Mariaschin. “I thoroughly enjoyed reading many of the entries into the competition. We are all proud of this insightful and meaningful program; it embodies the goal of explaining and commending diversity perfectly.”
Through this exciting competition, high school students—individually, or as part of a team—had the chance to write and illustrate a children’s book, aimed at kids between the ages of 5 and 10, to advocate for diversity and tolerance.
The contest is an education and awareness initiative created in conjunction with B’nai B’rith programs that promote tolerance and communicate a message of equality among all citizens. The program aims to enlighten, inspire, and educate America’s young people and their families in an effort to destroy prejudices and strengthen the future of our youth.
This year’s judges included Police Commissioner Ray Kelley; Executive Director of the Children’s Book Council Robin Adelson; and Executive Director of the Asian American Arts Alliance Lillian Cho, among others.
Long Island City High School’s Ruth Eraza and Veronica Zamora teamed up to pen The Clover Within, which placed second and earned Eraza and Zamora a share of the $2,000 award. Bayside High School students Raymond Klien, Daniel Shimunov, and Karishma Deonarain created The Third Wheel, which took third place and earned a $1,000 prize they will share.
