Creative self-expression becomes a pathway for students to envision a more welcoming world.
Using the written word as a tool for creative self-expression, educators and students can participate in several ways. Flexibility provides different levels of engagement that best fit a classroom’s needs.
In this six-session workshop, guided by the writing artists at Lake Erie Ink, students engage in discussions and exercises that explore real-life instances such as mistreatment and bullying, whether personally experienced, witnessed or learned about. Students consider the importance of empathy, respect and standing up for others, using creative writing to respond to these themes and to envision a more welcoming world.
As a final project, each student produces a written piece sharing their perspective. All submissions are entered into the Stop the Hate Youth Speak Out contest, with an opportunity to be recognized and awarded educational scholarships.
Step 1: Complete the Maltz Museum’s Workshop Interest Form.
Step 2: Coordinate with a Lake Erie Ink staff member to schedule workshop sessions.
Step 3: Before the first workshop:
Step 4: Participate in workshop sessions, where students:
Step 5: Complete a brief program evaluation and student reflection activity.
Interested in a Workshop?
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Students in grades 6-12 are invited to pen 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.
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
View the most recent essay writing prompt and rubric.
View the most recent poetry writing prompt and rubric.
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Top 10 Awards: Grades 11 & 12
● Grand Prize: $30,000 scholarship + $4,000 school grant Top Awards: Grades 6–10 ● 1st Place per grade: $400 cash prize |
High School
● 1st Place: $2,000 cash prize + $1,000 school grant Middle School ● 1st Place: $400 cash prize |
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Teacher of the Year
In addition to awarding classes and students, the Maltz Museum and Lake Erie Ink present a $1,000 cash prize to a Stop the Hate Teacher of the Year honoring their commitment to excellence in education. |
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Educators in Northeast Ohio committed to enriching education at community schools are eligible to apply for a Stop the Hate Educational Grant of $1,400. Applications are open to all educators within Stop the Hate’s 15-county reach. For more information or questions, please contact education@mmjh.org.
Apply now for the 2025-26 Stop the Hate Educational Grant – Deadline to submit is 12/5/2025!
No, participation in the Youth Speak Out contest is open to Northeast Ohio students and schools, regardless of workshop participation. The workshops are a free resource to enrich student engagement and support learning throughout the program. Maltz Museum representatives are also available to visit your school, introduce the program and inspire students to get involved.
Yes, students may submit one essay and one poem per year. If selected as a finalist in both categories, the student is awarded the higher prize amount only.
Contest finalists are notified shortly after the submission deadline. Final placements and winners are announced at our in-person award ceremony held each Spring.
Submissions for the Stop the Hate contest open on September 1 of each year.
Participation in an in-person tour at the Maltz Museum is vital to a successful workshop experience. This can be scheduled before, during or after the workshop. Plus, workshop participants are eligible to receive one free tour or session. Please contact our team at tours@mmjh.org or 216-593-0581 to learn more about in-person and virtual tour offerings.
Teachers must assign the Stop the Hate® Digital Lesson and complete an accompanied reflection activity before the beginning of their Stop the Hate workshop.
Classes can choose to meet virtually due to distance or transportation limitations.
The minimum class size for participation is 15 students. Larger classes may be divided into groups with more than one teaching artist. Clinic-style scheduling between one-to-two days is also available.
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 scoring by a select group of writing experts.
Yes, you can download this list of supplemental, educational and mental health resources for students and classrooms.
We recommend signing up for a workshop as soon as possible to reserve your spot. Workshop bookings are based on availability. It’s critical to sign up early to reserve your spot. Both songwriting and writing workshops occur between September and December.
To start the workshop booking process, please complete this brief inquiry form.
Youth Speak Out aligns with:
Contact our Education team at education@mmjh.org, 216-593-0593, or complete the contact form.