The 2018-2019 White Rose Student Essay Contest finalists have been announced. You can see a full list and read the winning essays below.
Flight from the Reich
Between the Nazi rise to power in 1933 and the invasion of Poland in 1939, Nazi policy toward the Jews encouraged their social and economic isolation from non-Jews. With the ultimate aim of pressuring Jews to emigrate from the country, the Nazis utilized increasingly restrictive laws to force this separation – eventually progressing to organized violence.
By the spring of 1938, these policies were in force against German, Austrian and Czech Jews from the Sudetenland, as the Reich expanded through territorial acquisition. Despite this pressure to leave the country, many Jews had little interest in leaving their homes, especially as they faced restrictive immigration quotas and obstacles to their successful entry into another country. The situation reached a breaking point following Kristallnacht when Jews in the Reich perceived an immediate threat to their safety, prompting an international refugee crisis which demanded the attention of world leaders.
This year’s contest asked students to analyze the conditions experienced by Jews living within the Reich during the 1930s and explore what choices were open to them as potential emigrants.
8th - 9th Grade Finalists
| James Bi – Harmony Middle School Sponsoring Teacher: Michelle Sutton |
Emma Du – Harmony Middle School Sponsoring Teacher: Jon Holsapple |
| Gavin Goldston – Oxford Middle School Sponsoring Teacher: Andi Husted |
Sam Hurley – Harmony Middle School Sponsoring Teacher: Michelle Sutton |
| Lisa Ji – Lakewood Middle School Sponsoring Teacher: Amanda Schweiger |
Abbie Kratofil – Oxford Middle School Sponsoring Teacher: Andi Husted |
| Vishnu Kumar – Harmony Middle School Sponsoring Teacher: Michelle Sutton |
Jeffrey Liang – Oxford Middle School Sponsoring Teacher: Andi Husted |
| Caroline Lubbe – Oxford Middle School Sponsoring Teacher: Andi Husted |
Lorelai Petrie – Oxford Middle School Sponsoring Teacher – Andi Husted |
10th - 12th Grade Finalists
| Emma Cooney – Lee’s Summit High School Sponsoring Teacher: Christopher Bobal |
Tara Conrad – Lone Jack High School Sponsoring Teachers: Bailey Appleton & Angela Gottesburen |
| Emma Marie Craven – Lone Jack High School Sponsoring Teachers: Bailey Appleton & Angela Gottesburen |
Danielle Gafford – Lone Jack High School Sponsoring Teachers: Bailey Appleton & Angela Gottesburen |
| Madison Jedlicka – Lone Jack High School Sponsoring Teachers: Bailey Appleton & Angela Gottesburen |
John Lubianetsky – Lone Jack High School Sponsoring Teachers: Bailey Appleton & Angela Gottesburen |
| Kirsten Poole – Lone Jack High School Sponsoring Teachers: Bailey Appleton & Angela Gottesburen |
Madelyn Reed – Heartland Christian School Sponsoring Teacher: Kay Barnes |
| Amanda Stangl – Lone Jack High School Sponsoring Teachers: Bailey Appleton & Angela Gottesburen |
Landon Surber – Lone Jack High School Sponsoring Teachers: Bailey Appleton & Angela Gottesburen |
Sponsors
Sandi and Ed Fried with additional generous support provided by members of the Midwest Center for Holocaust Education’s White Rose Society.