Description
The Stop the Hate Program gives Northeast Ohio middle and high school students a platform to share their stories and inspire positive change in their schools and communities. Rooted in the Jewish value of respect for all humanity, the Maltz Museum proudly supports young people of all faiths and backgrounds by recognizing their efforts through $100,000 in scholarships and awards annually.
Students in grades 6-12 are invited to submit entries in two categories (Essay and Poetry) and the deadline to enter for both is Thursday, January 14, 2027 at 11:59PM.
To submit, students are asked to write a personal narrative or poem responding to a provided prompt. The piece should highlight real-life experiences they have witnessed, experienced, or learned about. Their work should share how they are inspiring positive change, taking action, or encouraging others to do the same.
2026-27 Stop the Hate Essay Prompt:
“Somebody has to stand when other people are sitting. Somebody has to speak when other people are quiet.” – Bryan Stevenson
Bryan Stevenson is a civil rights attorney, social justice activist, and founder of the Equal Justice Initiative. In his 2014 memoir, Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption, he recounts his work defending Walter McMillian, who had been wrongly convicted and sentenced to death. By telling the stories of those experiencing injustice and poverty, Stevenson and the Equal Justice Initiative work to bring about a more just and equitable world.
Taking inspiration from the above quote, write a personal narrative (500 words or less) about a time when you experienced, witnessed, or became aware of hate, exclusion, discrimination, or injustice. How did that moment encourage you to speak up, stand up, or take action? Reflect on how one person's courage or one small action can inspire others and help create meaningful change.
Your story can be told in many different ways, but be sure to describe:
• Your experience and its impact on those involved.
• How did the experience affect you or change your understanding?
• What action did you take—or what action do you wish you had taken—to speak up, support someone, or make a difference?
• How do you hope to use your own voice and actions to help create a more just and inclusive world in the future? Or, what message do you have for others to encourage them to stand up for a more just and inclusive world?
2026-27 Stop the Hate Poetry Prompt:
“Somebody has to stand when other people are sitting. Somebody has to speak when other people are quiet.” – Bryan Stevenson
Bryan Stevenson is a civil rights attorney, social justice activist, and founder of the Equal Justice Initiative. In his 2014 memoir, Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption, he recounts his work defending Walter McMillian, who had been wrongly convicted and sentenced to death. By telling the stories of those experiencing injustice and poverty, Stevenson and the Equal Justice Initiative work to bring about a more just and equitable world.
Reflect on the quote above and write an original poem of at least 12 lines (500 words or less) that explores your experiences or understanding of hate, exclusion, discrimination, or injustice. How have these experiences shaped your thoughts, hopes, and actions? Use your poem to show how one person's courage, voice, or small act can inspire others and help create a more just, inclusive, and compassionate world.
Your poem must be original and specific to your experience or understanding of these issues, and use imagery and poetic language.
The poem could:
• Describe an experience of hate, exclusion, discrimination, or injustice, and explore your feelings and actions in response to it.
• Reflect on how one person's courage or actions can inspire others to speak up, stand up, or create positive change.
• Imagine how you hope to use your own voice and actions to make a difference in your community or beyond.
• Celebrate inclusion, courage, and standing up for others.
• Or be something else related to the themes of the Stop the Hate prompt.
Essay Awards:
Top 10 Awards: Grades 11 & 12
- Grand Prize: $30,000 scholarship + $4,000 school grant
- First Runner-Up: $15,000 scholarship + $2,000 school grant
- Second Runner-Up: $10,000 scholarship + $1,000 school grant
- Third Runner-Up: $5,000 scholarship + $500 school grant
- (6) Honorable Mentions: $1,000 cash prize + $400 school grant
Top Awards: Grades 6-10
- 1st Place per grade: $300 prize
- 2nd Place per grade: $200 prize
- 3rd Place per grade: $100 prize
Poetry Awards:
High School
- First Place: $2,000 prize + $1,000 school grant
- Second Place: $1,500 prize + $500 school grant
- Third Place: $1,000 prize + $500 school grant
- (2) Honorable Mentions: $500 prize
Middle School
- First Place: $400 prize
- Second Place: $300 prize
- Third Place: $200 prize
- (2) Honorable Mentions: $100 prize