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Annual "Stop The Hate" contest celebrates young people who tackle tough issues

'Stop The Hate' winners were announced last week [Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage]
'Stop The Hate' winners were announced last week [Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage]

The “ Stop the Hate” essay contest is an initiative from the Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage that celebrates Northeast Ohio students committed to creating a more accepting, inclusive society by standing up and speaking out against bias and bigotry.

Each year about 3,000 students enter, and with the help of over 400 volunteer readers, 20 finalists are named. Since the contest started 14 years ago, over 40,000 students in 12 counties across Northeast Ohio have participated, and as of this year, $1.4 million has been awarded.

Every yearon the Sound of Ideas, we feature some of the contests winners, and talk to them about the challenges they’ve faced, and how they overcome them. Today on the show we’ll hear from four students, who tackle everything from body shaming, to racist threats.

Later in the hour, we discuss the film “The Erie Situation”, which just garnered a prize at The Cleveland International Film Festival. It focuses on the toxic algae blooms that happen in Lake Erie each spring and summer. These blooms occur when nutrients from fertilizers run off into the water shed. Little is being done to regulate or control that run off, and the problem continues to get worse and worse.

The film’s Director, David Ruck, will talk about what inspired him to create the film, what the future looks like for The Great Lakes, and if enough is being done to address the problem of the toxic blooms.

 

"Stop The Hate" Essay Contest

- Maraja Moss, 12th Grader, Jackson High School

- Lizzy Huang, 11th Grader, Shaker Heights High School

- Sanjana Katiyar, 11 th Grader, Strongsville High School

- Jacqueline Hudack, 11th Grader, Lakewood High School

- David Ruck, Director, "The Erie Situation"

Drew Maziasz is a coordinating producer for the "Sound of Ideas" and also serves as the show’s technical producer.