Stop the Hate Scholarship
Scholarship Sponsored by Maltz Museum
Now in its 17th year, the Stop the Hate® contest is comprised of two components: Youth Speak Out, an essay writing contest, and Youth Sing Out, a songwriting contest. Both celebrate Northeast Ohio students in 6th-12th grade who are committed to creating a more accepting, inclusive society by standing up and speaking out against bias and bigotry as they compete for a chance to win prestigious awards.
Each year nearly 3,000 students enter, and with the help of 400 volunteer readers, 32 finalists are named. Since the contest started, over 50,000 students across Northeast Ohio have participated and $1.5 million has been awarded to students and schools.
Rooted in the Jewish value of respect for all humanity, the Maltz Museum is proud to continue giving young people of all faiths and backgrounds a platform to speak out in support of inclusion and diversity.
What is the Essay contest?
Youth Speak Out Essay Writing Contest invites 6th –12th grade students to pen a personal essay in 500 words or less about bias they have witnessed, experienced, or learned about; then share what they have done or will do in response. Participation is welcome to all 6th-12th grade students in the following counties: Ashland, Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Erie, Geauga, Huron, Lake, Lorain, Mahoning, Medina, Portage, Stark, Summit, Trumbull, and Wayne counties. Students compete to win scholarships for themselves and anti-bias education grants for their school.
Top ten awards for Grades 11 & 12:
- Grand Prize Winner: $20,000 scholarship + $5,000 grant for their school.
- First Runner Up: $10,000 scholarship + $2,000 grant for their school.
- Second Runner Up: $5,000 scholarship + $2,000 grant for their school.
- (7) Honorable Mentions: $1,000 cash prize + $500 grant for their schools.
Top awards for Grades 6- 10:
- 1st Place winners in each grade: $400 cash prize
- Runner Up in each grade: $100 cash prize