Holocaust writing contest announced

Eastern Washington high school students are invited to enter a creative writing contest honoring the memory of the six million Jews, gypsies and others who lost their lives in the Holocaust during World War II.

Students are asked to reflect on the meaning of the phrase “Never Again” and on the ways that humans are capable of treating – and mistreating – each other. In an essay or poem of between 500 and 1,000 words, students should reflect on their own experiences witnessing, receiving or inflicting mistreatment and cruelty, and to form ideas on how to personally make a difference in ending genocide and crimes against humanity.

The winning entry will be published in its entirety in The Spokesman-Review, and the winner will read their composition at the Spokane Community Observance of the Holocaust service at Temple Beth Shalom on Sunday, April 15, 2007. At the special service, Steven Smith, editor of The Spokesman-Review, will present the winning writer with a keepsake commemorating their achievement.

The contest is open to high school students, and submissions are due by March 1.

The Spokane Community Observance of the Holocaust Organizing Committee will choose the winner based on originality, content and accuracy. The winner will be announced April 1.

Submissions should be typed and double-spaced in Microsoft Word format, with the student’s name, phone number and school name on the first page only, and any reference material should be annotated at the end of the piece. Compositions should be e-mailed to neveragain-spokane@comcast.net.