The Rita Rubinoff Goldberg Student Essay Contest selected three Miami Beach Senior High School students as winners. 3GMiami, an organization composed of grandchildren of Holocaust survivors that is dedicated to educate students to stand up to hatred, administered the contest which honors Rita Rubinoff Goldberg, an esteemed Miami Beach Senior High alumna, known for her unwavering respect and kindness toward all individuals.
The winners received their awards on June 3, 2024 during the Holocaust Survivor Day Luncheon, hosted by the Holocaust Memorial Miami Beach, at the Miami Beach Botanical Gardens, where they were celebrated for their outstanding contributions. The event concluded with Beach High senior Stella McLaney winning first place, being awarded $2,500, and reading her winning essay, which received a standing ovation from attendees. McLaney, who responded to the contest prompt: “What can today’s high school students do to reduce antisemitism and all forms of prejudice in our society?” She emphasized the dangers of misinformation, how courageous conversations in high school are an important way to confront ignorance, and how she has chosen to channel her emotions into initiatives that can be a force for positive change.
Axel Paulhiac and Natanya Rogoff were the 2nd and 3rd place winners who focused on education, self-reflection, dialog and building alliances in order to create positive change.
Stephanie Rosen, Co-Founder of 3GMiami, highlighted the organization’s mission and the importance of the contest during the award ceremony, sharing that, “3GMiami helps students apply the lessons of the Holocaust to their lives today and be upstanders in the face of hatred, bigotry and antisemitism,” and that the “essay contest challenged students to address what today’s students can do to help eliminate hatred and create a better society.” She further expressed that “the submissions we received were incredible, providing hope during these challenging times.”
Rosen thanked all of the participants and congratulated the winners. “During this time of rising hate and antisemitism, these student essays provide light. On behalf of 3GMiami and the Holocaust Memorial Miami Beach, we thank you for your inspiring words and commitment to creating a more inclusive world.”
For more information about 3GMiami and future events, visit www.3gmiami.org or contact Stephanie Rosen at rosenstep@gmail.com.
