The Maltz Museum announced the winners of the 2026 Stop the Hate Youth Speak Out and Youth Sing Out Contest. Each year, the contest awards $100,000 to Northeast Ohio middle and high school students, teachers, and schools who take a stand against hate and discrimination. Winners were announced during an awards ceremony on April 14th at the Tri-C Cuyahoga Community College Eastern Campus.
The Stop the Hate contest includes multiple components: Youth Speak Out essay and poetry writing and Youth Sing Out songwriting for classrooms. Together, they celebrate Northeast Ohio students in grades 6-12 who are committed to building a more accepting and inclusive world.
With more than 300 attendees, the ceremony—hosted by Gabriella Kreuz, founder of Love Doesn’t Shove.
“To me, Stop the Hate is about reflecting on our own lives and choices, and choosing to lead with love—the true opposite of hate,
Kreuz shared at the event, according to the press release. “It’s about being a leader through our actions, guided by compassion, empathy, and respect for others. Participation in this program is so important because young people inspire us. Seeing the next generation commit to kindness, integrity, and doing what’s right gives us all a renewed sense of hope for the future.”
Reneé Chelm, Board Chair of the Maltz Museum, opened the ceremony by reflecting on the legacy of the program and reaffirming the organization’s commitment to expanding the impact of Stop the Hate.
“This has been a milestone year for the Maltz Museum as we celebrate 20 years of the institution and 18 years of Stop the Hate,” Chelm said. “As we look ahead to the next 20 years, our commitment to this work is stronger than ever. We are investing in the future of Stop the Hate—expanding it into a year-round, mission-defining initiative that will reach broader audiences and deepen its impact across our community.”
She also shared updates on the programing, including an increase to the grand prize essay scholarship to $30,00o. In partnership with Cuyahoga County Public Library, the 2026 Stop the Hate finalists’ essays, poems, and songs will be printed and made available at all library locations throughout the county.
See the 2026 Youth Speak Out: Essay & Poetry Contest Winners below. For more information on the winners, visit: maltzmuseum.org
Youth Speak Out Essays: 11th – 12th Grade
Grand Prize: $30,000 scholarship + $4,000 educational grant for their school
Manasvi Gurajala, Grade 11, Solon High School
First Runner-Up: $15,000 scholarship + $2,000 educational grant for their school
Elizabeth Chen, Grade 12, Berea-Midpark High School
Second Runner Up: $10,000 scholarship + $1,000 educational grant for their school
2Ayesha Faruki, Grade 12, Mentor High School
Third Runner Up: $5,000 scholarship + $500 educational grant for their school
Liam Hernandez, Grade 12, Aurora High School
Honorable Mentions: All receive a $1,000 cash prize + a $500 educational grant for their schools
Sophie Frissore, Grade 12, Aurora High School
Autumn Ladner, Grade 12, Aurora High School
Madeline Roisman, Grade 12, Saint Joseph Academy
Austin Rule, Grade 11, Aurora High School
Asher Sullivan, Grade 11, Shaker Heights High School
Ann Varghese, Grade 12, Aurora High School
Youth Speak Out Essays: 6th – 10th Grade
10th Grade:
First Place: $400 cash prize
Samipa Patel, Solon High School
Runner Up: $100 cash prize
Younes Tajik, Natividad Pagan International Newcomers Academy
9th Grade:
First Place: $400 cash prize
Eva Jones, Avon Lake High School
Runner Up: $100 cash prize
Fatima Shah, Hathaway Brown School
8th Grade:
First Place: $400 cash prize
Karson Kirth, Independence Middle School
Runner Up: $100 cash prize
Raegan Eichenlaub, North Ridgeville Academic Center
7th Grade:
First Place: $400 cash prize
June Weaver, Garfield Middle School
3Runner Up: $100 cash prize
Kylie King-Woods, Hathaway Brown School
6th Grade:
First Place: $400 cash prize
Peter Metoki, Hudson Middle School
Runner Up: $100 cash prize
Caleb Lehman, North Ridgeville Academic Center
Youth Speak Out Poetry: High School
First Place: $2,000 cash prize + $1,000 educational grant for their school
Myka Steggall, Grade 10, Oberlin High School
Second Place: $1,500 cash prize + $500 educational grant for their school
Zoe Pierce, Grade 11, Lakewood High School
Third Place: $1,000 cash prize + $500 educational grant for their school
Linh Nguyen, Grade 12, Aurora High School
Honorable Mentions: ALL receive a $500 cash prize
Ave Myers, Grade 10, Oberlin High School
Don’Nae Sanford, Grade 10, Walsh Jesuit High School
Youth Speak Out Poetry: Middle School
First Place: $400 cash prize
Anna Kellermann, Grade 7, Ballard Brady Middle School
Second Place: $300 cash prize
Maya Bourguignon, Grade 8, Beachwood Middle School
Third Place: $200 cash prize
Christina Chhetri, Grade 8, Bolich Middle School
Honorable Mentions: ALL receive a $100 cash prize
Khloee Booth, Grade 8, Almira Pre-K Academy
Farai Chiunda, Grade 8, Beachwood Middle School
2026 Youth Sing Out: Song Contest Winners
First Place High School: $3,000 educational grant for their school
Title: “You Don’t Know Me”
Lewis Treece’s 11th & 12th Grade Class
Rhodes School of Environmental Studies
ROOTS of American Music Teaching Artist: Matt “Cutty” Banner
Runner Up High School: $1,500 educational grant for their school
Title: “Break the Chain”
Janet Creamer’s Extra-Curricular/After School Class
Walsh Jesuit High School
ROOTS of American Music Teaching Artist: Kennedy Nagel
First Place Middle School: $3,000 educational grant for their school
Title: “We Will Rise”
Kelly Koehler’s 2nd Period Class
North Ridgeville Academic Center
ROOTS of American Music Teaching Artist: Kennedy Nagel
Runner Up Middle School: $1,500 educational grant for their school
Title: “Mystery of Iniquity”
Mary Matisak’s 5th Period Class
Milkovich Middle School
ROOTS of American Music Teaching Artist: Esther Fitz
Stop the Hate: Teachers of the Year
Together, with its partners, the Maltz Museum named two recipients of the Stop the Hate Teacher of
the Year award. Each received a $1,000 cash prize in recognition of their commitment to fostering
inclusive learning environments. Congratulations to Kelly Koehler of North Ridgeville Academic Center
and Janet Creamer of Walsh Jesuit High School.
Stop the Hate: Educational Grant
This year, Northeast Ohio educators dedicated to creating inclusive learning environments were invited
to apply for a $1,400 educational grant. The Maltz Museum awarded the grant to Garfield Heights
Middle School to support a reading club and project centered on The Hate You Give by Angie Thomas.
