Students translated stories of survival into paintings, films and writing for Chapman University’s Sala and Aron Samueli Holocaust Art and Writing Contest, where 12 Orange County students were recognized for responses to this year’s theme, “Holding on to Hope.”
Presented by Chapman University and The 1939 Society, the annual contest invites middle and high school students to engage with Holocaust survivor and rescuer testimonies and respond through art, film, poetry or prose. The Orange County Department of Education is among the program’s partners.
This year, the competition drew entries from more than 200 schools across 32 states and six countries, engaging thousands of students.
The theme explored how hope sustained individuals during the Holocaust through memory, resistance and acts of courage, asking students to reflect on how those stories shape their own perspectives.
Among the middle school honorees, Brea Junior High School eighth-grader Audrey Ho earned first place in art for “Reaching for Love,” inspired by the testimony of survivor Dina Wolfe. Her piece depicts a child reaching toward a parent’s hand, symbolizing connection and enduring love. In her artist statement, Ho wrote that Wolfe’s story “is a testament to the importance of holding on to your parent’s love, an ideal I can relate to deeply.”
In the high school division, El Dorado High School sophomore Seylah Bae earned second place in art for “Still, He Sang,” inspired by the testimony of Holocaust survivor Robert Clary. Her piece reflects on the role of music and resilience during unimaginable hardship, illustrating how creative expression helped sustain hope even in the most difficult conditions.
To view the entire list of winners, visit Chapman University’s contest webpage.
Here are the other stories we’ve been following this week:
- The Orange County Department of Education will host a free public forum on April 14 in Costa Mesa, where Seal Beach Police Capt. Nick Nicholas will present guidance on active shooter prevention, situational awareness and response strategies for schools and communities.
- Orange County teams, including Woodbridge, University and Valencia high schools, placed among the top competitors at the California Academic Decathlon, with University advancing to the United States Academic Decathlon National Competition.
- Trabuco Hills High School and the Orange County School of the Arts were among 19 campuses statewide to receive the 2026 California Exemplary Arts Education Award, which recognizes high-quality, inclusive arts instruction.
- Troy High School’s cybersecurity team earned second place overall and first in the Cisco Networking Academy Challenge at the CyberPatriot 18 National Finals, competing against more than 1,300 teams nationwide.
- OCDE will host a free May 2 convening in Anaheim focused on strengthening bilingual instruction through the Vietnamese American Experiences Model Curriculum.
- The Brea Olinda Unified School District is seeking applicants to fill a vacant Trustee Area 4 seat after the board voted to remove former trustee Christopher Becerra for missing meetings following his arrest.
- According to a CalMatters analysis, only about 54 percent of California high school students complete the A-G courses required for admission to UC and Cal State campuses, limiting college access for many graduates.
- More than 100 Orange County students advanced to the National History Day–California state competition after presenting award-winning projects at the NHD-OC contest showcasing research, analysis and historical interpretation.
- The Santa Ana Unified School District board voted to begin renaming Cesar Chavez High School, while, according to Voice of OC, schools, colleges and cities across Orange County are covering murals and considering renaming landmarks honoring César Chávez following recent sexual abuse allegations.
- According to a Los Angeles Times report, delaying kindergarten entry offers limited long-term academic benefits, with early advantages typically leveling out by third grade, though some children may experience developmental gains depending on individual needs.
- A jury verdict finding Meta and Google liable for harm to a young user has renewed attention on social media design features such as algorithms and infinite scrolling, with advocates calling for greater regulation and transparency.
This is the part where we encourage you to keep up with local education news stories by bookmarking the OCDE Newsroom, subscribing for emailed updates and following us on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram.