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info@bnaibrith.org

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2014 – 2015 Diverse Minds Winners

New York City
First Place:  Flawless Flowers
Written and illustrated by  Allyson Gonzalez    
Brooklyn Technical High School 

The winner of this year’s Diverse Minds Youth Writing Challenge for New York City is “Flawless Flowers” written and illustrated by Allyson Gonzalez from Brooklyn Technical High School in Brooklyn, N.Y. She was awarded a $5,000 college scholarship.

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 4 at an awards ceremony hosted by McGraw-Hill Education.

Second Place:  The White Panda
Written and illustrated by Claire Yin 
Staten Island Technical High School 

Second place winner Claire Yin from Staten Island Technical High School, wrote and illustrated “The White Panda” and was awarded a $2,000 college scholarship. 

Third Place:  Sara and the Multicultural Extravaganza
Written and illustrated by Yashoma Boodhan 
John Bowne High School 

Third place winner Yashoma Boodhan of John Bowne High School in Flushing, N.Y., wrote and illustrated “Sara and the Multicultural Extravaganza,” and was awarded a $1,000 college scholarship. 


Washington, D.C.
First Place:  Happy Birthday!
Written and illustrated by  Jean-Young Kim   
Poolesville High School

The winner of this year’s Diverse Minds Youth Writing Challenge for Washington, D.C. is “Happy Birthday!” written and illustrated by Jean-Young Kim from Poolesville High School in Poolesville, Md. She was awarded a $5,000 college scholarship.

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.

Second Place: A Boy Named Timmy
Written and illustrated by  Morgan Isabella James (Hubert Blake High School),  Katherine Lentz (Sandy Spring Friends School) and Justin Warring (Sandy Spring Friends School)

Second place winners Morgan Isabella James, Katherine Lentz and Justin Warring, from Maryland,  wrote  and  illustrated”A Boy Named Timmy” and will split a $2,000 college scholarship. 

Third Place: Fruits and Veggies and Veggies and Fruits
Written and illustrated by Jenna Ramirez and Stacy Shin
James Hubert Blake High School 

Third place winners Jenna Ramirez and Stacy Shin of James Hubert Blake High School in Silver Spring, Md., wrote and illustrated “Fruits and Veggies and Veggies and Fruits,” and will split a $1,000 college scholarship. 


Southern New Jersey
First Place:  Lilly & Sully
Written and illustrated by  Julia Mallon  
Kingsway Regional High School

The winner of this year’s Diverse Minds Youth Writing Challenge for Southern New Jersey is “Lilly & Sully” written and illustrated by  Julia Mallon  from  Kingsway Regional High School  in  Woolwich Township, N.J. She was awarded a $5,000 college scholarship.

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 Atlantic City Electric.

Second Place: What Are You?
Written and illustrated by  Julie Benbassat, Adel Boyarsky and  Sumayyah Jones 
Cherry Hill High School East

Second place winners  Julie Benbassat, Adel Boyarsky and  Sumayyah Jones from Cherry Hill High School East in Cherry Hill, N.J., wrote and illustrated “What Are You?” and will split a $2,000 college scholarship. 

Third Place:  Meet The Moon
Written and illustrated by  Phillip Devin Trieu (Collingswood Senior High School)Emma Oehlers (Collingswood Senior High School) and Julia Williams Portland (Camden Catholic High School)

Third place winners  Phillip Devin Trieu (Collingswood Senior High School)Emma Oehlers (Collingswood Senior High School) and Julia Williams Portland (Camden Catholic High School)  from  Collingswood, N.J., wrote and illustrated “Meet The Moon,” and will split a $1,000 college scholarship. 


Delmarva Peninsula
First Place: Girl Dragons Can’t Fly!
Written and illustrated by Emma Herdman  
Charter School of Wilmington

The winner of this year’s Diverse Minds Youth Writing Challenge for the Delmarva Peninsula is “Girl Dragons Can’t Fly!” written and illustrated by Emma Herdman from Charter School of Wilmington in Wilmington, Del. She was awarded a $5,000 college scholarship.

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 26 at an awards ceremony hosted by Delmarva Power.

Second Place: Blue
Written and illustrated by Luke Martin 
North Caroline High School 

Second place winner Luke Martin from North Caroline High School in Ridgely, Md., wrote and illustrated “Blue” and received a $2,000 college scholarship. 

Third Place: Crayonland
Written and illustrated by Ibukun Ope
North East High School 

Third place winner Ibukun Ope from North East High School in North East, Md., wrote and illustrated “Crayonland,” and was awarded a $1,000 college scholarship. 


Greater Columbus Area, Ohio
First Place: The Very Special Candy
Written and illustrated by Amanda Ba & Meghan McCloskey 
Olentangy Orange High School 

The winner of this year’s Diverse Minds Youth Writing Challenge for the Greater Columbus Area is “The Very Special Candy,” written and illustrated by Amanda Ba and Meghan McCloskey from Olentangy Orange High School in Lewis Center, Ohio. They will split a $5,000 scholarship.

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 21 at an awards ceremony hosted by McGraw Hill Education.

Second Place: The Red Circle
Written and illustrated by Ava Rigelhaupt 
New Albany High School 

Second place winner Ava Rigelhaupt from New Albany High School in New Albany, Ohio, wrote and illustrated “The Red Circle” and received a $2,000 scholarship. 

Third Place: Fostering Fallon
Written and illustrated by Breanne Johnson & Maddy Toole
Westerville Central High School 

Third place winners Breanne Johnson and Maddy Toole from Westerville Central High School in Westerville, Ohio, wrote and illustrated “Fostering Fallon,” and split a $1,000 scholarship. 


Previous Winners


Sponsors

Greater Columbus Area Program Sponsor:
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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