Maltz Museum: Stop the Hate^® Contest

The Stop the Hate Program gives Northeast Ohio middle and high school students a platform to share their stories and inspire positive change in their schools and communities. Rooted in the Jewish value of respect for all humanity, the Maltz Museum proudly supports young people of all faiths and backgrounds by recognizing their efforts through $100,000 in scholarships and awards annually.

How the Contest Works

Step One: Explore this Year’s Prompt

• Read and reflect on the writing prompt.
• Begin brainstorming ideas.
• Optional: Use the Stop the Hate® Digital Lesson to deepen your understanding of the topic.

Step Two: Start Writing

• Begin crafting your essay or poem based on your reflections.

Step Three: Review and Revise

• Edit your work carefully.
• Reading aloud or asking a teacher, trusted adult or peer for feedback can help improve your writing.

Step Four: Submit Your Work

• Once you’re happy with your final draft, follow the instructions and submit.

Students upload their writing to a confidential portal. All entries are scored by volunteer readers from across the country. Each entry is anonymous and is scored three times. The highest-scoring 11th- and 12th-grade entries receive a final reading by a select group of writing experts.

Top-scoring students receive individual awards, trophies, and a free family membership to the Maltz Museum for one year; their schools receive education grants. Top entries are announced publicly at our Stop the Hate award ceremony.

Enter the contest

Submit a poem on the entry portal
Entry deadline is Thursday, January 22, 2026

Submit an essay on the entry portal
Entry deadline is Thursday, January 15, 2026

Writing guidelines

Students in grades 6-12 are invited to write a personal narrative or poem responding to a provided prompt. The piece should highlight real-life experiences they have witnessed, experienced, or learned about. Their work should share how they are inspiring positive change, taking action, or encouraging others to do the same.

View the most recent essay writing prompt and rubric.

View the most recent poetry writing prompt and rubric.

Contest Awards

Participating in Stop the Hate gives students, teachers and schools a platform to share their stories and speak out against hate while competing for recognition and awards.

Essay Awards:
Top 10 Awards: Grades 11 & 12

• Grand Prize: $30,000 scholarship + $4,000 school grant
• First Runner-Up: $15,000 scholarship + $2,000 school grant
• Second Runner-Up: $10,000 scholarship + $1,000 school grant
• Third Runner-Up: $5,000 scholarship + $500 school grant
• (6) Honorable Mentions: $1,000 cash prize + $500 school grant

Top Awards: Grades 6-10

• 1st Place per grade: $400 prize
• 2nd Place per grade: $100 prize

Poetry Awards:
High School

• First Place: $2,000 prize + $1,000 school grant
• Second Place: $1,500 prize + $500 school grant
• Third Place: $1,000 prize + $500 school grant
• (2) Honorable Mentions: $500 prize

Middle School

• First Place: $400 prize
• Second Place: $300 prize
• Third Place: $200 prize
• (2) Honorable Mentions: $100 prize

Past Stop the Hate Winners

Meet the students committed to making a difference in Northeast Ohio.
Explore Now

About the Stop the Hate® Program

The Stop the Hate Program gives Northeast Ohio middle and high school students a platform to share their stories and inspire positive change in their schools and communities. Rooted in the Jewish value of respect for all humanity, the Maltz Museum proudly supports young people of all faiths and backgrounds by recognizing their efforts through scholarships and awards.

Each year nearly 3,000 students enter the contest, and with the help of 400 volunteer readers, 30 finalists are named. Since Stop the Hate started, more than 50,000 students across Northeast Ohio have participated, and $1.7 million has been awarded to students and schools.

Learn more at MaltzMuseum.org.