Each year, the Oregon Holocaust Resource Center sponsors a writing and art competition among middle and high school students using a Holocaust-based theme. The objectives of the competitions are to encourage todays youth to evaluate history, to foster an awareness of the Holocaust, and to broaden their minds in the areas of art, history, civics, sociology and literature. The rewards are not only in the prizes and public recognition, but also in learning and developing advanced verbal and artistic skills.

The competition was created in memory of the late Sala Kryszek, a Holocaust survivor from Poland who immigrated to Oregon after World War II and made her home in Portland. Kryszek was generous, kind and a loving wife and mother who cared about her friends, family and the community. She died in 1986. 

Funded primarily by a grant from the Jakob Kryszek family, the top entry in both writing and art is awarded the Sala Kryszek Award and a trip to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C. The OHRC provides three nights lodging, admission to the USHMM and transportation. 

A top Sala Kryszek Award winner will be selected in both the writing and art categories. In addition, judges award prizes in two divisions: the senior division (grades nine to 12) and the junior division (grades six to eight). Prizes are awarded in both divisions of the writing and art categories for first, second and third place.

This years prompt is Starting Anew. Students are asked: “After being freed from the concentration camps and coming out of hiding, Holocaust victims faced the uncertainty of what was next. They had lost family, friends, homes and educational opportunities. Despite the overwhelming hardships, most of these people were able to rebuild their lives. Today, many people throughout the world have been displaced due to conflicts, war or natural disasters. They too have to begin again. What can you do to help them make transitions into new lives?

“Using your knowledge of the Holocaust, create a work of art or piece of writing demonstrating personal action you could take to provide assistance in these circumstances.”

Students can access a complete packet explaining the guidelines of the competition at www.ohrconline.org/art-and-writing-contest

For more information, contact Sonia Marie Leikam at the Oregon Holocaust Resource Center, info@ohrconline.org

Entries for this years competition are due March 4. Winners will be notified in April, and will receive awards at a ceremony May 15 at an awards luncheon at the Scottish Rite Center in Portland. The luncheon is open to the public. Tickets will be available in April through the OHRC office.