Congratulations to Cara Miller for Winning the Stop the Hate Poetry Competition!
A big round of applause is in order for Cara Miller, a talented student from Garfield Heights High School, who recently took home the top prize at the prestigious Stop the Hate poetry competition. Sponsored by the Maltz Museum, this competition celebrates the voices of young people committed to creating positive change and promoting acceptance in their communities.
As the finalists gathered on stage, the excitement was palpable. One by one, the six finalists were narrowed down, and then, the moment everyone had been waiting for arrived—“Cara Miller, from Garfield Heights!” The announcement was met with cheers, marking an incredible moment for both Cara and her school. She won a $2,500 cash prize and a $2,000 educational grant for Garfield Heights High School.
This victory is particularly significant as it marks the first time a Garfield Heights High School student has reached the final round of the competition and the very first time one of their students has won the contest. Over the years, students from the school have entered the contest, but Cara’s win is a monumental achievement that reflects her hard work, creativity, and passion for promoting positive change.
The Stop the Hate competition includes both written essays and poetry, giving students the opportunity to reflect on issues such as discrimination, bullying, and the power of empathy. Cara’s success is a testament to the growing momentum of this important program, and it’s hoped that her achievement will inspire even more Garfield Heights students to participate in the contest in the years to come.
Special recognition is also due to Yolanda Hamilton and Mathew Chamberlin, both former Garfield Heights graduates, who now works for the district. Yolanda has worked tirelessly to foster a partnership between the Maltz Museum and Garfield Heights City Schools, while Matt has incorporated written essays for the competition into his classroom. Both are helping to make this contest an important part of the school district’s educational programming. Thanks to efforts like theirs, more than 4,400 students from over 160 schools across Northeast Ohio participated in this year’s Stop the Hate contest and workshops.
The Stop the Hate initiative, a signature program of the Maltz Museum, is designed to help students gain a deeper understanding of hate-related issues, discrimination, and bullying. By encouraging personal storytelling, the program creates opportunities for empathy and bridges between diverse communities. This contest empowers students to speak out and make a positive impact on their communities, all while striving for a more inclusive and accepting society.
Through the generosity of Milton and Tamar Maltz, the Maltz Museum awards $100,000 annually in scholarships and grants to Northeast Ohio middle and high school students, teachers, and schools that are dedicated to making a difference.
Once again, congratulations to Cara Miller on this outstanding achievement! We look forward to seeing even more students from Garfield Heights High School step up in the future, as we continue to build a more inclusive and compassionate community.