2016 – 2017 Diverse Minds Winners
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. 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. |
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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. |
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. 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. |
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Previous Winners
Sponsors
Contact Us
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 .