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

info@bnaibrith.org

202-857-6600

2013 – 2014 Diverse Minds Winners

Delmarva Peninsula

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First Place:  Kira Kiwi, How Will School Be?
Written and illustrated by Monica Keszler
Charter School of Wilmington

The winner of this year’s Diverse Minds Youth Writing Challenge is “Kira Kiwi, How Will School Be?” written and illustrated by Monica Keszler from the Charter School of Wilmington in Wilmington, Del. 

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 May 27 at an awards ceremony hosted by Delmarva Power.


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Second Place:  Amber The Lonely Witch
Written and illustrated by Ashley Williams
Padua Academy

Second place winner Ashley Williams from Padua Academy in Wilmington, Del., wrote and illustrated “Amber The Lonely Witch” and_ received a $2,000 scholarship. 

> Download digital copy


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Third Place:  The Mellow Fellow Who Played The Cello
Written and illustrated by Zachary Edward Varrato
Sussex Technical High School

Third place winner Zachary Edward Varrato from Sussex Technical High School in Georgetown, Del., wrote and illustrated “The Mellow Fellow Who Played The Cello,” split a $1,000 scholarship. 

> Download digital copy



Washington, D.C.

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First Place:  Cake Kingdom
Written by Kayla Trinh (Clarksburg High School)
Illustrated by David Ng (Damascus High School)

The winner of this year’s Diverse Minds Youth Writing Challenge is “Cake Kingdom,” written by Kayla Trinh (Clarksburg High School) and illustrated by David Ng (Damascus High School) in Clarksburg, Md.

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 May 28 at an awards ceremony hosted by Pepco at the Pepco Edison Place Gallery in Washington, D.C.


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Second Place:  Our Different Families
Written and illustrated by Rachel Bird
Walt Whitman High School.

Second place winner Rachel Bird from Walt Whitman High School in Bethesda, Md., wrote and illustrated “Our Different Families,” received a $2,000 scholarship. 

> Download digital copy


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Third Place:  Francine’s Happy Accident
Written and illustrated by: Laura Carty and Lauren Remaly
Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School

Third place winners Laura Carty and Lauren Remaly from Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School in Bethesda, Md., wrote and illustrated “Francine’s Happy Accident,” received a $1,000 scholarship. 

> Download digital copy



New Jersey

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First Place:  If No One Was Different
Written and illustrated by Mary Kate Donahue

The winner of this year’s Diverse Minds Youth Writing Challenge is “If No One Was Different,” written by Mary Kate Donahue from Cherokee High School in Marlton, N.J.

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 May 29 at an awards ceremony hosted by Pepco’s Atlantic City Electric at the Stockton College Kramer Hall Art Gallery in Hammonton, N.J.


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Second Place:  If Someone Buys You A Cupcake
Written and illustrated by Alexandra Franciosa and Samantha Zanetti
Paul VI High School.

Second place winners Alexandria Franciosa and Samantha Zanetti from Paul VI High School in Camden County, N.J., wrote and illustrated “If Someone Buys You A Cupcake,” split a $2,000 scholarship. 

> Download digital copy


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Third Place:  Plain Jane
Written and illustrated by Breanna Palzer and Charlie Wiggins
Ocean City High School

Third place winners Breanna Palzer and Charlie Wiggins from Ocean City High School in Ocean City, N.J., wrote and illustrated “Plain Jane,” split a $1,000 scholarship. 

> Download digital copy



New York City

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First Place:  What is Family?
Written and illustrated by Ariel Wang

The winner of this year’s Diverse Minds Youth Writing Challenge is “What is Family?,” written by Ariel Wang from the High School for Dual Language and Asian Studies in Manhattan.

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 30 at an awards ceremony hosted by NYSE Euronext Foundation, MUFG and USA at the New York Stock Exchange.

In addition, Wang’s teacher who oversaw the creation of the winning book received a $500 stipend to use for classroom or organizational materials


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Second Place: Oddly the Strich
Written and illustrated by Yeonkyung Julie Hwang from Bayside High School and Sunyoung Park from Thomas A. Edison Career & Technical Education High School.

Second place winners Yeonkyung Julie Hwang from Bayside High School and Sunyoung Park wrote and illustrated “Oddly the Strich,” split a $2,000 scholarship. 

> Download digital copy


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Third Place:  The Recipe for Friendship
Written and illustrated by Jonathan Chung and Maria Mo from Townsend Harris High School in Flushing.

Third place winners Jonathan Chung and Maria Mo wrote and illustrated “The Recipe for Friendship,” split a $1,000 scholarship. 

Download digital copy



Previous Winners


Sponsors

NYC Program Sponsors:
Washington DC Metro Area, Delaware / Delmarva Peninsula and Southern New Jersey 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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