PEPPER PIKE, Ohio -- Orange High School senior Gal Naveh received an honorable mention for his essay, a $1,000 cash prize and a $500 Anti-Bias Education grant for his school in the Maltz Museum’s 16th annual Stop the Hate awards program.
The ceremony was April 3 at the Cleveland Museum of Art.
Gal was one of only eight senior finalists -- and one of six 12th-grade essay honorable mention recipients -- from more than 4,100 students at 100-plus Northeast Ohio schools who participated in the contest this year.
The grand prize winner, Zoë Schmidt, a Cleveland St. Joseph Academy senior, received a four-year, $20,000 scholarship and a $5,000 Anti-Bias Education grant for her school.
First runner-up Adhithiya Balamurugan, a junior from Solon High School, received a $10,000 scholarship and a $2,000 Anti-Bias Education grant for his school.
Students were asked to write a personal essay or poem about bias they have witnessed, experienced or learned about and share what they have done or will do in response while reflecting on this prompt:
“I no longer believe that we can change anything in the world until we have first changed ourselves.”
It’s a quote from the diary of Etty Hillesum, a Jewish-Dutch woman in Amsterdam during World War II.
Orange High School seniors CJ Gissentaner, left, and Henry Ringenbach, both members of the Lions’ football team, traveled to Italy with American Football Worldwide as ambassadors of the sport.(Photo Courtesy of Orange City Schools)
Football ambassadors
Two Orange High School senior football players represented their school, their families and the United States in a “friendly” game of American football in Italy during spring break in March, according to a news release from the Orange City School District.
CJ Gissentaner and Henry Ringenbach traveled with American Football Worldwide as ambassadors of the sport.
They helped the United States capture a 34-2 victory over Italy’s national under-19 football team.
The Ultimate Champions in Moreland Hills Elementary School’s Rock-Paper-Scissors Tournament were Avery Boroff, left, for grades 3-5 and Charlotte Okapal for grades K-2.(Photo Courtesy of Orange City Schools)
Rock-Paper-Scissors
Heading into spring break in March, Moreland Hills Elementary School students competed in the school’s second annual Rock-Paper-Scissors Tournament.
Grade-level champions were kindergartner Noah Schechter, first-grader Charlotte Okapal, second-grader Dean Carreras, third-grader Liam Veith, fourth-grader Avery Boroff and fifth-grader Peter Hays.
The Ultimate Champions were Avery Boroff for grades 3-5 and Charlotte Okapal for grades K-2.
Scholastic Art Competition
Dozens of Orange High School student artists recently received top honors in the prestigious 2024 Scholastic Art Competition.
OHS and Excel TECC students earned a combined 12 Gold Key awards, 16 Silver Key awards and 20 honorable mentions in the regional and national Scholastic Art Competition recognizing students with exceptional artistic talent.
OHS students named Gold Key winners were Courtney Alexander, Kynnade Bates, Onesti Grant, Donlevy Hughes, Sarah Korland, Bex Loebl, Alex Pomeranets, Sasha Ponsky, Noah Reichek and Mallory Sesnowitz. Bex and Mallory each won two Gold Key awards.
OHS students named Silver Key winners were Nita Akhobadze, Leila Claypool, Dolceanna Crosby, Onesti Grant, Jaylen Greer, Donlevy Hughes, Dakota Jones, Sarah Korland, Bex Loebl, Sofia Saab, Mallory Sesnowitz, Olivia Ullner and Lauren Young. Sarah, Mallory and Lauren each won two Silver Key awards.
Honorable mentions were earned by Jack Arch, Reese Balding, Rashaaud Barnes, Kynnade Bates, Simon Claypool, Nash Cook, Zak Goodman, Gavin Harmon, Giada Klisovic, Sarah Korland, Yoonwook Kwon, Bex Loebl, Clark Patterson, Ezra Rozic, Mallory Sesnowitz, Zachary Slay, Christian Smith and Kassidy Toohig. Bex and Ezra each received two honorable mentions.
The awards give students opportunities for recognition, exhibition, publication and scholarships.
Projects included art portfolios, ceramics and glass, photography, drawing and illustration, painting and digital art.
Last year, more than 300,000 original works in 28 different categories were entered in the competition.
Ohio Governor’s art show
Orange High School student artists recently had 12 pieces recognized regionally in the Ohio Governor’s Youth Art Exhibition, with two pieces selected for the State Exhibition.
The OHS artworks headed to the state competition were created by Sarah Korland for drawing and Sofia Saab for mixed media.
Also recognized in the Governor’s Cameo Display was Kaylee Roy in digital media and computer art in Excel TECC.
Regional recognition went to Leila Claypool, Sasha Ponsky, Mallory Sesnowitz, Lucas Shell, Olivia Ullner, Lauren Young, Onesti Grant, Grant Harmon and Kaylee Roy.
Beachwood Arts Council show
Several Orange High School student artists were recently recognized in the Beachwood Arts Council Juried Show.
They are Zach Goodman in mixed media, Leila Claypool in mixed media, Courtney Alexander in ceramics and Mallory Sesnowitz in photography.
Read more from the Chagrin Solon Sun.