BEACHWOOD, Ohio, April 15, 2026 – The Maltz Museum proudly announces the winners of the 2026
Stop the Hate Youth Speak Out and Youth Sing Out Contest. Each year, the contest awards $100,000 to
Northeast Ohio middle and high school students, teachers, and schools who take a stand against hate
and discrimination. Winners were announced during an awards ceremony on April 14th at the Tri-C
Cuyahoga Community College Eastern Campus.
With more than 300 attendees, the ceremony—hosted by Gabriella Kreuz, founder of Love Doesn’t
Shove—was an engaging and memorable celebration of student voices, creativity, and the power of
storytelling. Reflecting on the program’s impact, Kreuz shared: “To me, Stop the Hate is about reflecting
on our own lives and choices, and choosing to lead with love—the true opposite of hate. It’s about being
a leader through our actions, guided by compassion, empathy, and respect for others. Participation in
this program is so important because young people inspire us. Seeing the next generation commit to
kindness, integrity, and doing what’s right gives us all a renewed sense of hope for the future.”
Reneé Chelm, Board Chair of the Maltz Museum, opened the ceremony by reflecting on the legacy of
the program and reaffirming the organization’s commitment to expanding the impact of Stop the Hate.
“This has been a milestone year for the Maltz Museum as we celebrate 20 years of the institution and 18
years of Stop the Hate,” said Chelm. “As we look ahead to the next 20 years, our commitment to this
work is stronger than ever. We are investing in the future of Stop the Hate—expanding it into a year-
round, mission-defining initiative that will reach broader audiences and deepen its impact across our
community.”
Chelm also shared updates celebrating the continued growth of the Stop the Hate program, including
the welcoming of Valerie Temple, the Stop the Hate program’s first-ever Associate Director. This year,
the program increased the grand prize essay scholarship to $30,000 and expanded opportunities to
showcase student work. In partnership with Cuyahoga County Public Library, the 2026 Stop the Hate
finalists’ essays, poems, and songs will be printed and made available at all library locations throughout
the county.
A highlight of the evening was the distinguished panel of judges – Todd L. Kitchen, Ed.D, Eastern Campus
President, Tri-C Cuyahoga Community College, Effie Nunes, Executive Director, Cleveland Arts Prize, and
John Skrtic, Chief of Special Projects & Collections, Cleveland Public Library – who scored the top four
essay scholarship finalists live during the ceremony. Bringing their expertise and insight, the judges not
only selected the scholarship winners but also shared an inspiring message to all participants recognizing
their courage, thoughtfulness, and the impact they have across Northeast Ohio. “I believe that
everything rises on leadership, and your participation in this program identifies you as a leader,” said Dr.
Kitchen. “That’s important, and I salute you.”
The Stop the Hate contest includes multiple components: Youth Speak Out essay and poetry writing and
Youth Sing Out songwriting for classrooms. Together, they celebrate Northeast Ohio students in grades
6-12 who are committed to building a more accepting and inclusive world. This year, participants wrote
essays, poems, and songs inspired by an excerpt from Alex Stojsavljevic’s 2011 Grand Prize-winning
essay:
“I have high hopes the one day I can look down upon the world and be glad in knowing that I had
a part in it. In that regard, I believe I am just an ordinary teenager – I am living my life and
creating a world that I want to live in.” – Alex Stojsavljevic, Stop the Hate ‘11
Since the contest started, over 50,000 students in 15 counties across Northeast Ohio have participated,
and $1.8 million has been awarded to students and schools. This year, more than 3,600 students at 150
Northeast Ohio schools participated in the Stop the Hate Contest, writing individual essays, poetry, or
group songs for a chance to win scholarships and educational grants for themselves and their schools.
Manasvi Gurajala, an 11th grader from Solon High School, was named grand prize scholarship winner of
the essay contest during the event.
Excerpt from the full essay:
“The homeless man I saw all those years ago had a face devoid of hope; but I pray my actions will help
restore light to the eyes of those who have lost it.”
Read Manasvi’s full essay, along with those of the other remarkable finalists, on the Maltz Museum’s
website.
2026 Youth Speak Out: Essay & Poetry Contest Winners
Youth Speak Out Essays: 11th – 12th Grade
- Grand Prize: $30,000 scholarship + $4,000 educational grant for their school
Manasvi Gurajala, Grade 11, Solon High School
- First Runner-Up: $15,000 scholarship + $2,000 educational grant for their school
Elizabeth Chen, Grade 12, Berea-Midpark High School
- Second Runner Up: $10,000 scholarship + $1,000 educational grant for their school
Ayesha Faruki, Grade 12, Mentor High School
- Third Runner Up: $5,000 scholarship + $500 educational grant for their school
Liam Hernandez, Grade 12, Aurora High School
Honorable Mentions: All receive a $1,000 cash prize + a $500 educational grant for their schools
- Sophie Frissore, Grade 12, Aurora High School
- Autumn Ladner, Grade 12, Aurora High School
- Madeline Roisman, Grade 12, Saint Joseph Academy
- Austin Rule, Grade 11, Aurora High School
- Asher Sullivan, Grade 11, Shaker Heights High School
- Ann Varghese, Grade 12, Aurora High School
Youth Speak Out Essays: 6th – 10th Grade
10th Grade:
First Place: $400 cash prize
Samipa Patel, Solon High School
Runner Up: $100 cash prize
Younes Tajik, Natividad Pagan International Newcomers Academy
9th Grade:
First Place: $400 cash prize
Eva Jones, Avon Lake High School
Runner Up: $100 cash prize
Fatima Shah, Hathaway Brown School
8th Grade:
First Place: $400 cash prize
Karson Kirth, Independence Middle School
Runner Up: $100 cash prize
Raegan Eichenlaub, North Ridgeville Academic Center
7th Grade:
First Place: $400 cash prize
June Weaver, Garfield Middle School
Runner Up: $100 cash prize
Kylie King-Woods, Hathaway Brown School
6th Grade:
First Place: $400 cash prize
Peter Metoki, Hudson Middle School
Runner Up: $100 cash prize
Caleb Lehman, North Ridgeville Academic Center
Youth Speak Out Poetry: High School
First Place: $2,000 cash prize + $1,000 educational grant for their school
Myka Steggall, Grade 10, Oberlin High School
Second Place: $1,500 cash prize + $500 educational grant for their school
Zoe Pierce, Grade 11, Lakewood High School
Third Place: $1,000 cash prize + $500 educational grant for their school
Linh Nguyen, Grade 12, Aurora High School
Honorable Mentions: ALL receive a $500 cash prize
Ave Myers, Grade 10, Oberlin High School
Don’Nae Sanford, Grade 10, Walsh Jesuit High School
Youth Speak Out Poetry: Middle School
First Place: $400 cash prize
Anna Kellermann, Grade 7, Ballard Brady Middle School
Second Place: $300 cash prize
Maya Bourguignon, Grade 8, Beachwood Middle School
Third Place: $200 cash prize
Christina Chhetri, Grade 8, Bolich Middle School
Honorable Mentions: ALL receive a $100 cash prize
Khloee Booth, Grade 8, Almira Pre-K Academy
Farai Chiunda, Grade 8, Beachwood Middle School
2026 Youth Sing Out: Song Contest Winners
First Place High School: $3,000 educational grant for their school
Title: “You Don’t Know Me”
Lewis Treece’s 11th & 12th Grade Class
Rhodes School of Environmental Studies
ROOTS of American Music Teaching Artist: Matt “Cutty” Banner
Runner Up High School: $1,500 educational grant for their school
Title: "Break the Chain”
Janet Creamer’s Extra-Curricular/After School Class
Walsh Jesuit High School
ROOTS of American Music Teaching Artist: Kennedy Nagel
First Place Middle School: $3,000 educational grant for their school
Title: "We Will Rise”
Kelly Koehler’s 2nd Period Class
North Ridgeville Academic Center
ROOTS of American Music Teaching Artist: Kennedy Nagel
Runner Up Middle School: $1,500 educational grant for their school
Title: "Mystery of Iniquity”
Mary Matisak’s 5th Period Class
Milkovich Middle School
ROOTS of American Music Teaching Artist: Esther Fitz
Stop the Hate: Teachers of the Year
Together, with its partners, the Maltz Museum named two recipients of the Stop the Hate Teacher of
the Year award. Each received a $1,000 cash prize in recognition of their commitment to fostering
inclusive learning environments.
Congratulations to Kelly Koehler of North Ridgeville Academic Center
and Janet Creamer of Walsh Jesuit High School.
Stop the Hate: Educational Grant
This year, Northeast Ohio educators dedicated to creating inclusive learning environments were invited
to apply for a $1,400 educational grant. The Maltz Museum awarded the grant to Garfield Heights
Middle School to support a reading club and project centered on The Hate You Give by Angie Thomas.
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About the Maltz Museum:
Rooted in the Jewish value of respect for all humanity, the Maltz Museum explores diverse stories of
courage from history and today so that there can be a more inclusive tomorrow. The museum is
generously supported by Cuyahoga Arts & Culture, the Jewish Federation of Cleveland, and the Ohio
Arts Council. For tickets call 216-593-0575 or visit www.maltzmuseum.org
About Stop the Hate:
Now in its 18th year, Stop the Hate is the Maltz Museum’s signature educational program, serving
Northeast Ohio students and school communities through opportunities that encourage personal
storytelling to build bridges and create empathy. Through this program, students gain awareness of
issues of hate, discrimination, bullying, and more, while also being inspired to courageously create
positive change when faced with these challenges. This Maltz Museum initiative celebrates Northeast
Ohio students committed to creating a more accepting and inclusive society.
As of April 2026, the total amount of scholarships and grants awarded through the contest to Northeast
Ohio students, teachers, and schools is $1.8 million.
For more information about the Stop the Hate program please visit maltzmuseum.org or contact
education@mmjh.org.
Stop the Hate is made possible by the generous support of board and committee members, volunteer
readers and judges, sponsors and partners, and more. To see a complete list of the many people and
organizations involved in making Stop the Hate possible, please visit:
https://www.maltzmuseum.org/stop-the-hate/winners/
The Maltz Museum is located at 2929 Richmond Road in Beachwood, OH.
Admission: $12 for adults, $10 for seniors (60+) and students, $5 for youth (5-11), and FREE for
Maltz Museum Members and children under 5.
Hours: Tuesday – Sunday, 11 am -5 pm, Wednesday, 11 am – 9 pm. Closed on Mondays and
most major holidays.
Museums for All: We offer free general admission to individuals and families with a Supplemental
Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card or a Women, Infants, &
Children (WIC) card. Visitors must present a valid form of photo ID. To claim free tickets, please call 216-
593-0575 before visiting.