2012 – 2013 Diverse Minds Winners
New York City
First Place: We Are All Atoms
Written and illustrated by Ashley Deng Staten Island Technical High School The winner of this year’s Diverse Minds Youth Writing Challenge is “We Are All Atoms” written and illustrated by Ashley Deng from Staten Island Technical High School in Staten Island, N.Y. Diverse Minds is a contest where high school students write and illustrate children’s books to help elementary school children celebrate tolerance and diversity. The winning book was announced the evening of June 10 at an awards ceremony hosted by the New York Stock Exchange.
Second Place: Foond and the Tree People
Written and illustrated by Lucian Stern The Beacon School Second place winner Lucian Stern from The Beacon School in New York City, wrote and illustrated “Foond and the Tree People” received a $2,000 scholarship.
Third Place: Show and Tell
Written and illustrated by Anastasia Hayes and Marguerite Coles Curtis High School Third place winners Anastasia Hayes and Marguerite Coles from Curtis High School in New York City, wrote and illustrated “Show and Tell” received a $1,000 scholarship. |
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Washington, D.C. Metro Area
First Place: Pepper the Porcupine and the Big Parade
Written by Jourdan Lewanda and illustrated by Andrew Latona James Hubert Blake High School The winner of this year’s Diverse Minds Youth Writing Challenge is “Pepper the Porcupine and the Big Parade” written by Jourdan Lewanda and illustrated by Andrew Latona, both graduating seniors at James Hubert Blake High School in Silver Spring, Md. Diverse Minds is a contest where high school students write and illustrate children’s books to help elementary school children celebrate tolerance and diversity. The winning book was announced the evening of June 6 at the PEPCO Edison Place Gallery. In Lewanda and Latona’s story “Pepper the Porcupine and the Big Parade,” Pepper the porcupine wants to participate in his town’s parade band, but doesn’t have much talent for playing an instrument. After searching for his place to fit in, he finds his unique talent as the band leader. The winners earned a $5,000 college scholarship and their book has been professionally published.
Second Place: Bird in Blue
Written and illustrated by David Ng and Kayla Trinh Damascus High School Second place winners David Ng and Kayla Trinh from Damascus High School in Damascus, Md., wrote and illustrated “Birds in Blue” received a $2,000 scholarship.
Third Place: Everyone is Royal
Written and illustrated by Chala A. M. Tshitundu and Rebecca H. Hamilton-Levi Montgomery Blair High School Third place winners Chala A. M. Tshitundu and Rebecca H. Hamilton-Levi, from Montgomery Blair High School in Silver Spring, wrote and illustrated “Everyone is Royal” received a $1,000 scholarship. Previous Winners> 2011 – 2012 Winners
> 2010 – 2011 Winners > 2009 – 2010 Winners > 2008 – 2009 Winners > 2007 – 2008 Winners > 2006 – 2007 Winners Sponsors
NYC Program Sponsors:
Washington DC Metro Area, Delaware / Delmarva Peninsula and Southern New Jersey Sponsor:
 Previous sponsors have also included:
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 L-R: B’nai B’rith International Executive Vice President Daniel S. Mariaschin, Diverse Minds 2013 winning author Jourdan Lewanda , winning illustrator Andrew Latona, and Pepco Holdings President and CEO Joseph Rigby at the award ceremony on June 6.
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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 .
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