Stow Student Winner in 'Stop the Hate: Youth Speak Out!' Essay Contest

Freshman Zachary Kenna won first place in the "Stop the Hate: Youth Speak Out!" essay contest for describing an act of discrimination and reflecting on that act in a 500-word essay with a plan of action to affect change.

Kenna, who was one of 1,800 to submit an essay to the Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage's fourth annual contest, also received $300 for his first place story. 

He was honored during an awards ceremony at Severance Hall in April.

“We are very proud of Zachary. He is involved with HAPPY, a student group at [the high school],” said Sheila Kenna, Zachary’s mother.  “I think he is going to go very far in life. He is very compelled to support diversity and stand up for others.”

This year, students from 126 schools participated in the essay contest, which addressed a variety of issues, from cyber-bullying and homelessness to ethnic, racial and religious discrimination, and offered their perspectives.  

 “We have been overwhelmed by the willingness of young people to address these issues. Writing an essay encourages our youth to have empathy, make good choices and identify skills to respond when confronted with bigotry,” said Lynda A. Bender, Maltz Museum director of education and public programs.  

The essays were scored on content, writing, originality and creativity, and utilization of the theme of personal responsibility.

Nearly 6,500 essays have been received in the contest’s first four years.