Eva Lassman Memorial art and essay contests: Tasyn Oosting takes second place in art for middle school

The Spokane Community Observance of the Holocaust has announced the top three middle school selections in its 13th annual Eva Lassman Memorial Writing and Art Contests. The contest theme is “Speaking Up for ‘the Other’.”

The contest asked participants to learn about the Holocaust and read about or listen to some of the many stories of survivors who were labeled “the other” by the Nazis, and address these questions:

1. What are the lessons you learned from their stories that had a major impact on you? Why is it important to speak up for those who are considered “the other”?

2. Who are “the other” today? Based on the lessons you learned, what are you motivated to do to speak up for them?

Tasyn Oosting of Salk Middle School earned second place for his artwork. He explains:

“Hope”

By Tasyn Oosting

Eighth grade

Salk Middle School

From the depths of hell people who are diverse hope – hope that one day they will be noticed by the “normal.”

In my art work, I’ve made people who are the other. And with one person who symbolizes us, the bystander. So, if the other were to all come together, the others could stand for one another to overcome the battles of being different.