Lakewood Youth Shine in Statewide Stop The Hate Creative Contest

In a powerful testament to the creativity and conscience of its young people, Lakewood is celebrating two students who have taken top honors in a major statewide “Stop The Hate” competition. The contest, which invites students to use art, essays, and multimedia to promote tolerance and combat prejudice, saw local entries clinch both the first and second place prizes.

The winning projects, whose specific details are being celebrated at a district-wide assembly next week, tackled complex issues of discrimination and community healing. School officials report that one entry was a poignant short film on the impacts of cyberbullying, while the other was a series of mixed-media art pieces exploring racial unity. The depth of insight displayed has left judges and teachers alike profoundly impressed.

“This isn’t just about winning a contest,” said a visibly proud principal from the winners’ school. “It’s about our students internalizing the values of empathy and respect and then amplifying that message for everyone to hear. They are leading by example, showing us all how to build a more inclusive community right here at home.”

The victories have sparked a wave of local pride, with city council members planning to formally recognize the achievers at an upcoming meeting. The success underscores a broader, ongoing commitment within Lakewood’s educational institutions to integrate social justice and anti-bias education into their curricula.

As the plaques and certificates find their place in the school trophy cases, the real prize, as noted by one of the young winners, is the hope that their work will inspire a simple, yet powerful, change: “Just to make someone think twice before they judge.” For Lakewood, these students have already given the community something to think very highly of indeed.