SBHEC annual meeting honors mission, recognizes student art, writing

On May 29, 2025, the Sandra Bornstein Holocaust Education Center held its 37th Annual Meeting and Student Art & Writing Contest Awards Ceremony, gathering students, teachers, and community members in a moving celebration of remembrance and education.

Incoming board members were also installed during the program. The event reaffirmed the Center’s mission to support Holocaust and genocide education across Rhode Island. Chairman of the Board Dr. Michael Bryant emceed the evening and laid out his timeline for a 3-5-year strategic plan, for which meetings will begin convening this summer. Wendy Joering, Executive Director, reflected on the Center’s growth over the past three years and emphasized the vital work that lies ahead with the new team in place. The team includes Laura Auketayeva, Ph.D., Director of Education and Programs, and Lexi Kutenplon-Rayess, Program Coordinator and Office Administrator.

The Honorable Melissa A. Long, of the Rhode Island Supreme Court, was the Installing Officer.  New members of the board include Ross Frank, Harold Foster, Lisa Davis, Chaim Brown, Andrew Fink, Jane Jacober, as well as Barbara Wahlberg who returns to the board.

The Center recognized outstanding student submissions exploring the theme “What’s in a Name?” Through both visual art and writing, Rhode Island middle and high school students reflected on the power of names, memory and identity in the context of Holocaust history.

Awardees included:

Morris Gastfreund Award: Carmella Mae Pega (12th Grade, Pilgrim High School)

May-Ronny Zeidman Award: Jules Velazquez (12th Grade, Pilgrim High School)

Honorable Mention with Distinction (Writing): Mae Clarity (7th Grade, Monsignor Clarke School)

Honorable Mention (Writing): Mary Guidera (8th Grade, Monsignor Clarke School)

Honorable Mention with Distinction (Art): Kalaivani Cholan, Patrick Wingate, Mia Mendelsohn (8th Grade, St. Augustine School)

Classroom Art Awards: Stephan Annaldo, Lizeth Aquino, Ella Brothers, Jayden Brunchae, Maximo Castro, Cristiano Fernandes, Jehlivia Fernandes, Olivia McNeil, Hannah Sousa, Isabella Vaca (8th Grade, St. Augustine School)

Singer Award: Kehan Tian (Barrington High School)

Alice and Ray Eichenbaum Award: Sean Skinnard (Pilgrim High School)

Classroom Award & Silverstein Educator Grant: Mrs. Donna Vescera (St. Augustine School)

In addition, a new award was established in honor of former Congressman and Mayor of Providence, David N. Cicilline. The recipient of this award stands as a true role model among their peers—someone who reflects the very values that David has championed throughout his career. We are proud to recognize Caleb Isenberg as the first recipient of the David N. Cicilline Leadership Award.

Every student honoree received a copy of “Survivors: True Stories of Children in the Holocaust,” by Allan Zullo. Several outstanding submissions were also recognized with additional age-appropriate books, including “Maus” and “Hidden.”

Participants in the Center’s Leadership Institute for Teens (LIFT), a six-month program bringing together high school students from Rhode Island and Massachusetts to study Holocaust history, genocide, and the challenges of ethical leadership were also celebrated.

The event reaffirmed the power of learning, art, and storytelling to carry Holocaust memory forward.

LAURA AUKETAYEVA Ph.D., is the Director of Education and Programs at the Sandra Bornstein Holocaust Education Center