Between 1933 and 1945 the Nazis sought to create a racial state comprised of what they deemed to be a racially pure population. To achieve this goal, the Nazis used propaganda, coercion, and terror to align the thoughts and values of German citizens with Nazi ideology. The German government persecuted its own citizens because of their beliefs, behaviors, and identities. The persecution and murder of non-Jews deemed unworthy of inclusion in the Nazi state often pre-dated the persecution of Jews and laid the groundwork for the mechanisms that would be used in the genocide of approximately 6 million Jews.
A successful essay or documentary entry will address both portions of the following prompt. At minimum, one-fourth of the finished work must be devoted to the REFLECTION.
RESEARCH: Describe why and how one category of non-Jewish victims experienced persecution and murder by the Nazis. (You may choose from among the following non-Jewish victims groups: Jehovah’s Witnesses, LGBTQ+, Roma and Sinti, and the Targets of Eugenics.) Provide as an example how that persecution was experienced by at least one person. Also consider whether the group experienced continued persecution during the post-war years.
REFLECTION: How can you apply the learning gained from your research to your developing responsibilities as a citizen in U.S. society?
The finalists of this year’s White Rose contest were honored and the winners announced at the Academic Awards Ceremony on May 8, 2025. The winning essays and documentaries – along with photos of the evening – are posted below.
Crumbl cookies of various flavors and Kosher chocolate chip cookie bars were served along with lemonade. Potted spring flowers decorated the tables. Honorees were invited to take these flowers home with them at the end of the evening.
Preston Chang
Harmony Middle School
Overland Park, KS
Michelle Sutton, Sponsoring Teacher
Jessica Qin
Lakewood Middle School
Overland Park, KS
Amanda Schweiger, Sponsoring Teacher
December Valdivia
Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy
Overland Park, KS
R. Gina Renee, Sponsoring Teacher
Saphire Hobbs
Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy
Overland Park, KS
R. Gina Renee, Sponsoring Teacher
Noopur Shah
Lakewood Middle School
Overland Park, KS
Jennifer Tavernaro, Sponsoring Teacher
From left: Preston Chang, Michelle Sutton, Saphire Hobbs, December Valdivia, R. Gina Renee, Jessica Qin, Amanda Schweiger, Noopur Shah, Jennifer Tavernaro.
December Valdivia
Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy
Overland Park, KS
R. Gina Renee, Sponsoring Teacher
Photo at right: December reads her paper to the audience during the Academic Awards Ceremony.
Olivia Griffis
Westridge Middle School
Overland Park, KS
Stephen Hewitt, Sponsoring Teacher
Olivia Griffis with her sponsoring teacher, Stephen Hewitt.
Aaron Garding
Mulvane High School
Mulvane, KS
Caylene Crouse, Sponsoring Teacher
Sabrina Lu
University of Illinois Laboratory H S
Urbana, IL
Marie Jensen, Sponsoring Teacher
Elwyn Patterson
Notre Dame de Sion High School
Kansas City, MO
Maria Milazzo, Sponsoring Teacher
Lynn Lee
University of Illinois Laboratory H S
Urbana, IL
Marie Jensen, Sponsoring Teacher
Natalie Nolte
Kettle Moraine Lutheran High School
Jackson, WI
Matt Linton, Sponsoring Teacher
Present via Zoom from top left clockwise: Aaron Garding and Sabrina Lu, finalists; Marie Jensen, Caylene Crouse, and Matt Linton, sponsoring teachers. Lynn Lee and Natalie Nolte were not able to be present via Zoom. Local participants: Elwyn Patterson and sponsoring teacher Maria Milazzo.
Elwyn Patterson
Notre Dame de Sion High School
Kansas City, MO
Maria Milazzo, Sponsoring Teacher
At right: Elwyn reads her winning essay to the audience during the awards ceremony.
Addison Doyle & Addison Hild
Notre Dame de Sion
Kansas City, MO
Maria Milazzo, Sponsoring Teacher
Addison Doyle with Addison Hild and their sponsoring teacher Maria Milazzo.
The contest is named in memory of the White Rose, a resistance movement consisting of German university students. Among them were Hans and Sophie Scholl, along with several friends and their professor, were arrested and executed for distributing leaflets denouncing the policies of the Nazi regime. The project commemorates the efforts of these brave young people who gave their lives for what they believed in. May their memories inspire us to reflect upon our own responsibilities as citizens in a democratic nation.
Our mission is to teach the history of the Holocaust, applying its lessons to counter indifference, intolerance, and genocide.
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