Akron, Ohio News Release...

CITY HOSTS HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE ACTIVITIES FOR 2000

(February 15, 2000) The City of Akron’s annual Holocaust observance begins this month with the student Arts & Writing Contest display at the Akron Art Museum. The art display runs through the end of April. The annual awards and commemoration ceremonies will be held this year at Central Hower High School May 2.

The theme of this year’s arts and writing competition is, "Why We Must Oppose Hatred and Cruelty." More than 500 students in Akron have submitted works of art or essays depicting various aspects of the Holocaust for this, the 14^th such program. Professionals have juried all works, and the winning entries will be on display at the Art Museum downtown beginning February 19 and will be placed in a book to be presented to the students. Categories include research writing, creative writing, visual arts, and multimedia. First place winners and their teacher will receive a trip to Washington D.C. to the Holocaust Museum. Other winners receive books for their school library, savings bonds, plaques and certificates.

This year’s Holocaust commemoration ceremony begins at 11:30 a.m. at Central Hower High on Tuesday, May 2 with the awards ceremony. The chairman of this year’s memorial ceremonies is Gary Himmell.