Contact B'nai B'rith

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

info@bnaibrith.org

202-857-6600

2015 – 2016 Diverse Minds Winners

Washington, D.C.
First Place: My Family is Different
Written and illustrated by Anahit Kanayan

Duke Ellington School of the Arts

The winner of this year’s Diverse Minds Writing Challenge in the D.C.-metro area is “My Family is Different,” written and illustrated by Anahit Kanayan, a sophomore at Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, D.C. She was awarded a $5,000 college scholarship.​

In addition, Kanayan’s teacher who oversaw the creation of her winning book received a $1,000 grant to use for classroom or organizational materials. Duke Ellington School of the Arts 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. The winning book was announced the evening of June 1 at an awards ceremony hosted by Pepco-Exelon.

Second Place: Hadia’s Lunch
Written and illustrated by Eliyah Lister 
School Without Walls

Second place winner Eliyah Lister from School Without Walls in Washington, D.C., wrote and illustrated “Hadia’s Lunch” and received a $2,000 scholarship.

Third Place: The Stars of the Night Sky
Written and illustrated by Chaya Duppins 

Clarksburg High School

Chaya Duppins from Clarksburg High School in Clarksburg, Md., wrote and illustrated “The Stars of the Night Sky” and obtained a $1,000 scholarship.


Delmarva Peninsula
First Place: Hearts of Gold
Written and illustrated by Madeline Smith
​Illustrated by Morgan LaMonica
Towle Institute in Hockessin, Del.

The winner of this year’s Diverse Minds Youth Writing Challenge for the Delmarva Peninsula is “Hearts of Gold” written by Madeline Smith and illustrated by Morgan LaMonica from Towle Institute in Hockessin, Del. They were 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. Smith and LaMonica were announced the winners at an award ceremony at the Delmarva Power Conference Center on June 3.

Second Place: Maya’s Garden
Written and illustrated by Elizabeth Schwartz
Cab Calloway School of the Arts in
​Wilmington, Del.

Second place winner Elizabeth Schwartz, from Cab Calloway School of the Arts in Wilmington, Del., wrote and illustrated “Maya’s Garden,” and will receive a $2,000 college scholarship.

Third place: Some Stars
Written and illustrated by Siddharth Kailash Gangrene, Charter School of Wilmington, in Wilmington, Del. 

Third place winner Siddharth Kailash Gangrene, from the Charter School of Wilmington, in Wilmington, Del., wrote and illustrated “Some Stars,” and will receive a $1,000 college scholarship.


Southern New Jersey
First Place: “The Legend of Firemarth”
Written and illustrated by Samson Beaver
Paulsboro High School in Paulsboro, N.J.

The winner of this year’s Diverse Minds Writing Challenge in Southern New Jersey is “The Legend of Firemarth,” written and illustrated by Samson Beaver from Paulsboro High School in Paulsboro, N.J. He 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. Beaver was announced the winner at an award ceremony at Atlantic City Electric Headquarters on June 2.

Second Place: “The Girl with the Tail” 
Written and illustrated by Margaret Elizabeth Belskis

Cherokee High School in Marlton, N.J.

Second place winner Margaret Elizabeth Belskis from Cherokee High School, Marlton, N.J. wrote and illustrated “The Girl with the Tail,” and received a $2,000 college scholarship. 

Third Place: My Hero
Written and illustrated by 
Laurianne Panico
Clearview Regional High School in Mullica Hill, N.J.

Third place winner Laurianne Panico from Clearview Regional High School in Mullica Hill, N.J. wrote and illustrated “My Hero,” and obtained a $1,000 college scholarship.


New York City
First Place: From the Heart” 
Written and illustrated by Sylvia Yu

Stuyvesant High School in New York, N.Y.

​The winner of this year’s Diverse Minds Writing Challenge in New York City is “From the Heart,” written and illustrated by Sylvia Yu from Stuyvesant High School in N.Y., New York. She was awarded a $5,000 college scholarship

In addition, Yu’s teacher who oversaw the creation of her winning book received a $1,000 grant to use for classroom or organizational materials. Stuyvesant High School 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. Yu was announced the winner at an award ceremony on June 21.

Second Place: “Picnic Day” 
Written and illustrated by Lydia Jang and Bailey Chan Townsend Harris High School in Queens, N.Y.

Second place winners Lydia Jang and Bailey Chan from Townsend Harris High School in Queens, N.Y. wrote and illustrated “Picnic Day” and received a $2,000 scholarship.

Third Place: “The Story of Malina” 
Written and illustrated by Nadia Kossman
Townsend Harris High School in Queens, N.Y.

Third place winner Nadia Kossman also from Townsend Harris High School wrote and illustrated “The Story of Malina” and obtained a $1,000 scholarship.


Previous Winners


Sponsors

Washington D.C. Metro Area, 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 .


Connect with Diverse Minds

Picture