Making Change Contest 2021 Anthology - 31st Annual - A contest dedicated to honoring and upholding the principles set forth by champions of human ...
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31st Annual
Making Change Contest
2021 Anthology
A contest dedicated to honoring and upholding the
principles set forth by champions of human rights.
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”
-Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Individual Project Prompts 3rd – 4th Grade Think of someone who has worked or fought to make sure others were treated fairly and with respect. Write a letter to the Claremont City Council explaining why this person should be recognized in our community. You may include artwork such as a photo or illustration to support your writing. 5th – 6th Grade Write an essay about a human rights advocate you admire. Explain how that person’s actions demonstrated his or her beliefs about equality and justice. 7th – 8th Grade Create a multimedia, informative presentation about a human rights advocate. Include the impact on your life or society as a whole. Include your sources. (I.e. Movie, PowerPoint, Adobe voice, digital scrapbook, or other medium). Not to exceed 3 minutes. 9th – 10th Grade Can one person make a difference? Write an argument essay focused on a human rights advocate or movement to support your position. Include your sources. 11th – 12th grade Audio-Essay: What does it take to evoke social change? Write an essay in any genre (narrative, explanatory, or argument) that illustrates the essential elements needed to propel the cause of human rights forward. Include examples of specific people or movements. Group Project Prompts K - 2nd Grade, 7th - 8th Grade, 9th - 10th Grade Using any media, create a mural-type of art work depicting a human rights champion, subject, or event. This entry is open to any group of two or more students from the above grade categories. Maximum Size: 3 ft. x 3 ft.
Judging Rubric for Individual Entries Rating 5—The writer shows a clear understanding of the theme: How the contributions of a human rights advocate have changed today’s society and his or her own thinking. The writer may incorporate personal insight and/or experiences. Ideas are presented clearly and logically. The essay contains few mechanical errors (spelling, sentence structure, syntax, etc.) 4—The writer is less competent in one or more of the areas given above, but the writing still reflects a good grasp of the theme and the presentation is not deeply flawed. 3—The writer fails to address the theme fully and/or there are a number of mechanical errors. The theme is not explored in-depth. The writer wanders from the subject. 2—The writer makes an attempt to address the theme, but the work is marred by serious errors in mechanics and/or interpretation. The ideas are not logically presented or they are difficult to understand. 1—In addition to the problems above, the paper simply does not address the theme. Judging Rubric for Group Entries Theme: How well is the theme expressed? Space: Good use of space encourages the eye to travel. Color: Is the work using fresh, bold, strong and eye-catching color? Crafting: Quality use of tools and materials with bonding agent. Originality: Does the collage reflect the artist’s own thinking in creating and placement of shapes?
K – 2nd Grade Group Winner
Noelle Lopez
Kindergarten, Oakmont Outdoor School, Mrs. Brown
7th - 8th Grade Group Winners
Emma DeWees
Alanna McAllaster
Caroline Warren
7th Grade, El Roble Intermediate, Mrs. Lyn
9th - 10th Grade Group Winners
Eida Cossey
Kaili Hernandez
9th Grade, Claremont High School, Mrs. Carvalho, Mrs. Mitchell
3rd & 4th Grade Individual Winner
Parker Lyn
4th Grade, Condit Elementary, Mrs. Hassler
Dear Claremont City Council,
My name is Parker Lyn and I am a fourth grader at Condit Elementary school. We all
know that teachers work tirelessly to care for their students. During distance learning, I see my
teacher working really hard to make sure that my class learns everything we are supposed to.
My mom is also a teacher and she spends all day working on her class and grading. She even
spends most of the weekend grading and making assignments. I enjoy helping my mom with
her teacher tasks. Teachers are everyday heroes that are often taken for granted. They sacrifice
themselves and time with their families to be the best for their students. I think it is hard enough
going to school in the middle of a pandemic, but I can’t imagine what it would be like to go to
school in the 1960s during desegregation.
One teacher in history, who did something amazing, was Barbara Henry. Mrs. Henry
was the courageous teacher who wanted to integrate Louisiana schools in the 1960s. She was
the teacher of Ruby Bridges, who was the first Afircan-American student to attend an all-white
elementary school in her city. Mrs. Henry was the only teacher to volunteer to teach Ruby
Bridges. In fact, Ruby Bridges was the only kid in her class. Once the parents of the other
students found out that the class was integrated, they pulled their kids out. For more than a
year, Ruby Bridges was taught by Mrs. Henry. They were both bullied for teaching and being an
African-American student in the all-white school. If Mrs. Henry had not volunteered to be Ruby
Bridges’ teacher, Ruby Bridges would not have been able to go to the school and history would
not have been made.
Therefore, in our community, which is full of teachers at Claremont preschools, public
and private schools, and the colleges, we should honor Barabra Henry. She made an unselfish
choice which turned out to change history for the better. She is just one example of teachers
who positively impact their students.
Sincerely,
Parker Lyn
Works Cited:
https://chalkboardchampions.org/barbara-henry-the-teacher-who-helped-ruby-bridges-
integrate-a-new-orleans-school/
http://www.judynewmanatscholastic.com/blog/2017/11/barbara_henry/5th & 6th Grade Individual Winner
Evanne Gibbons
5th Grade, Condit Elementary, Mrs. Luebbers
Notorious RBG
“Fight for the things that you care about, but do so in a way that will lead others to join
you.” said the great Joan Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a women’s rights advocate. Joan Ruth
Bader Ginsburg was a smart, Jewish woman with dreams of equality and becoming a
lawyer. Her life experiences led her to fight so that girls today would be treated as equal as
the boys. It was not always easy for her but she fought anyway and never gave up. Over
her lifetime she would become a small but powerful trailblazer of equal rights.
Joan Ruth Bader Ginsburg was born on March 15, 1933, in Brooklyn, New York. She
had an older sister named Marilyn. There were so many girls with the name Joan when she
was growing up she decided to go by Ruth instead. She loved going to school. She was
left handed and her teachers made her write with her right hand so she did not have good
handwriting. Still, she loved to read and write. Her favorite book was Little Women by
Lousia May Alcott. Just before she graduated high school, her mom died. Ruth knew her
mom would want her to go to college, so she did. First, she went to Cornell University
where she learned about the Constitution and law. She also met her future husband Marty
Ginsburg there. After they got married and she graduated, she was accepted into Harvard
Law School. Ruth was one of 9 women in her class out of 500 men! Eventually Ruth would
graduate from Columbia University with a law degree.
At the time when she got her law degree, boys and men had the freedom to do what
they wanted with their lives and girls and women were expected to become wives, mothers,
nurses, and secretaries. Any other jobs were specifically for men, and men only. If womendid have the same jobs, they were paid less money. Ruth wanted to be a lawyer but that was not a job most women had. It was hard for her to find a job because she was a woman. Finally she did and it sent her to Sweden. In Sweden she learned that women and men were treated more equally there! She was inspired by this business trip to fight for women to have equal rights at home. Eventually, Ruth and the American Civil Liberties Union (or the ACLU) created the Women's Rights Project which fought to give women equal rights. Later in her career Ruth would help women get equal pay for equal work. I admire Ruth Bader Ginsburg because as a girl it is important that we are treated as equals to men. Ruth wasn’t always treated fairly as a woman. Ruth was Jewish and was not treated fairly because she was Jewish too. She was a mom, a wife, and on top of school she took care of her husband when he got sick. She even did his school work for him. But she never gave up her dream to become a lawyer. I also admire her because she was not afraid to speak her mind for what is right. Later in her career, Ruth Bader Ginsburg became known for her dissents, which means to disagree. She would often dissent when it included women’s rights and laws that didn’t think women should be treated fairly. It was not always easy for her to stand up for what is right but she did and that makes me feel proud because I am a girl and so was she. Ruth Bader Ginsburg was an amazing person. She fought for women’s equality and she never gave up on her dreams or herself, even in the darkest times for her. By standing up for what was right, Ruth Bader Ginsburg showed me to not be pushed down when things get tough and to keep fighting even if people don’t agree with you until things change. Girls should, can, and will look up to her as a strong leader and role model. Ruth Bader Ginsburg faced many challenges but she persisted in following her dreams. She ended her career with the highest honor of Supreme Court Justice. She was only the second woman supreme
court justice ever! Her powerful words and willingness to stand up for what was right even when it was not popular earned her the nickname “Notorious RBG”.
5th & 6th Grade Individual Winner
William Jung
6th Grade, Chaparral Elementary, Mr. Tonan
Dear City of Claremont,
In a secluded village in South Africa, a little boy would always attend his father’s
meetings about equality and ending apartheid in South Africa. This little boy was Nelson
Mandela. Every meeting left him even more aware of racial discrimination and
unequality in his country. One day, he learned that white settlers came and started
taking land and destroyed many villages. Therefore, African people had no voice in their
own government, which made them feel unwanted and out of place in their own country.
Due to the lack of basic human rights, such as freedom of speech and the right to vote,
they were often treated harshly. The unjust laws and severe oppression fueled Nelson’s
passion for justice and he had the tenacity to strive for freedom without violence or
conflict.
Nelson Mandela started the African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL)
to serve as a gateway for youth to help the African National Congress (ANC). In his
youth, he wanted to help stop apartheid in South Africa, but he knew that he was
powerless. Due to his strong passion, he wanted to give youths the tools to bring peace
and equality to South Africa. He started many peaceful protests against the South
African Government which caused him to end up in jail. Despite this situation, Nelson
stayed calm throughout his 27-year sentence and when he was released, he peacefully
negotiated with State President F.W. De Klerk about his viewpoints on apartheid. F.W.
De Klerk agreed and promised to help him with his journey to freedom. Due to this,Mandela was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for dealing with apartheid peacefully. He
established peace across the country by ending apartheid once and for all and he also
convinced the South African government to give the people the right to vote. In efforts to
continue his work, he started the Nelson Mandela Foundation to fight poverty while
raising awareness of the HIV/AIDS crisis in South Africa.
I still remember the hectic year of 2020. Coronavirus had arrived in America, and
medical professionals and essential workers were tormented by the virus’s relentless
wrath. The 2020 presidential election was underway, which caused a great deal of
stress and tension in America. Racism burst forth from many places, forcing people of
color inside their homes, with the creeping suspicion that something terrible might
happen to them. In August, in reaction to the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna
Taylor, individuals around the world marched in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter
movement. During these peaceful protests, many people of color and protestors were
assaulted, manhandled, and even killed by the same people who were trained to keep
us safe. Knowing that racism still exists so deeply in American society and many people
still rely on violence, is a reminder of why we need people like Nelson Mandela.
Ultimately, what I admire about Nelson Mandela is the fact that he is very
persistent in his goals, regardless of how difficult it is. His work reflected his leadership
and ambition and he constantly lifted and supported others in the hardest of times.
“Real leaders must be ready to sacrifice all for the freedom of their people,” Mandela
said. He told others to be the hero of their story. He took the risk and managed to
convince F.W. De Klerk to help him end apartheid. This was a great risk because
Mandela could have spent the rest of his life in prison if the president disagreed. Thisresulted in him saying, “I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the
triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers
that fear.” I also admire his strong belief in anti-racism. It is terrible how people treat
other people because of their skin color. Knowing that other people are fighting to end
this is just like a beacon of light shining brightly in a dark night. Mandela’s determination
and courage are immeasurable. Many thanks to CUSD, the Claremont Mayor, and all
those who support the educational system, equality for all students, and the
encouragement to be our best selves, I’ll end with a quote by Mandela, "Education is
the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world."
Best Wishes,
William Jung7th & 8th Grade Individual Winner
Jazzy Lyn
8th grade, El Roble, Mrs. Hertenstein
Multimedia Presentation:
Click here to view presentation by Jazzy Lyn via
GoogleDrive9th & 10th Grade Individual Winner
Maya Rodriguez
9th Grade, Claremont High School, Mr. Galvin
The Power In Numbers
In American history, one of the most well-known occasions where people pursued
revolutionary change is the civil rights movement. Undoubtedly, the goal of this movement was
not achieved by the work of a single individual. The civil rights movement is a prime example of
how making a difference takes a collaborative effort rather than just one person.
First and foremost, the civil rights movement happened during a time where black people
were seen as inferior. According to Civil Rights Movement: Timeline, Key Events & Leaders,
“The Civil War had officially abolished slavery, but it didn’t end discrimination against Black
people—they continued to endure the devastating effects of racism, especially in the South.” In
other words, people of color weren't treated with respect. During the civil rights movement,
black people strove to gain a basic human right: equality. On that account, how could a single
person fight for the rights of an entire community that’s seen as bottommost? Such significant
change would call for the joint effort of many people.
In addition, today’s society works around majority rule. As stated in Majority Rule, “At
various times in our history, lack of minority representation in government has allowed the
majority to abuse minority rights.” Here, the author suggests that needs of the minority tend to be
overlooked when the majority abuses their power. This is what happened when the
predominantly white government confined the rights of the black minority. To create a
nationwide change, such as gaining equal rights for people of color, a near majority would needto stand behind this movement. For that reason, it would take far more than just one person to
make a difference.
On the other hand, people might say that one person can make a difference, they just have
to be a very strong, powerful leader. That being said, take a look at Martin Luther King Jr. He is
seen as the leader of the civil rights movement, but change was not created until countless people
banded together and fought for the cause. In the article Milestones of the Civil Rights Movement
it states, “On August 28, 1963, a quarter of a million black and white people — more than twice
as many as had been expected — marched to the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. in a
show of unity, racial harmony and support for the civil rights bill.” This proves that it takes more
than one person to make a difference because the power in numbers is what brought the black
community equality.
In conclusion, a single person cannot make a difference. An individual can be a leader
and have a great impact on the world. However, substantial change won’t happen until many
people join forces and fight for the cause. This is most evident when it comes to political issues
and racial injustice, such as the civil rights movement. After all, unity is how people of color got
their rights!Work Cited
History.com Editors. “Civil Rights Movement.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 27
Oct. 2009,
www.history.com/topics/black-history/civil-rights-movement.
“Majority Rule.” Teaching Tolerance,
www.tolerance.org/classroom-resources/texts/majority-rule.
“Milestones Of The Civil Rights Movement.” PBS, Public Broadcasting Service,
www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/eyesontheprize-milestones-civil-rights-
movement/.11th & 12th Grade Individual Winner
Sophie Rivasplata
11th grade, Claremont High School
Moving Forward
Each year, buds blossom into roses. The stock market fluctuates. The 80s make
a comeback. Young girls grow into their own as women. Change is as innate to our
existence as gravity. Our world is a dynamic place, never at a standstill, always
changing, and continuously moving. It is our responsibility to guide this change forward
in a positive manner. In a world where fundamental human rights have been and still
are politicized, we must deeply examine how we can most effectively advocate for
human rights. How can we begin to spark change in the direction that we believe is
just?
There have been countless movements throughout history that have advocated
for human rights and social change. Within the past 100 years, we have become
familiar with movements regarding widespread women's suffrage, desegregation,
LGBTQ + liberation, and fair labor standards, to name a few. The power of these
movements is derived from the individuals contributing to the fight. Millions of individuals
had collectively decided that they have had enough of their oppression, mistreatment,
and discrimination. In order for these movements to occur, a passionate anger had to
form. People did not only seek for solutions; they demanded them. People were being
demanded to make a radical change and to fight for what is right. Social change mustbe evoked when discrimination escalates to the point that a single moment of existence
within the status quo translates to an unequivocal loss of humanity.
There is a lethal nature to bigotry; tragic stories such as George Floyd’s, Breonna
Taylor’s, Stephon Clark’s, and Ahmaud Arbery’s all serve as testimonies to this fact.
Racism and discrimination are being perpetuated. The American justice system is
targeting and seeing to the mass incarceration of black people. Transgender women
and other LGBTQ+ individuals face hate crimes simply for existing. These are just a few
examples that can be observed in the United States alone. The governments of Syria,
Iraq, and Myanmar are all currently genociding religious minorities. Belarus’s
government is currently torturing protesters. Protesters in Ecuador, Colombia, Chile,
Haiti, and Bolivia face similar police brutality to what can be sighted in the United
States. These are all dramatically pressing issues. There is passionate anger that
precedes the forming of social change. Social change requires an urgency that
resonates with individuals of all races, ages, and life experiences. Radical change must
occur in order to change the direction in which we are heading.
Of course, there is no easy answer to how we can better focus on upholding
human rights. There is no magical and flawless explanation. Any one solution would be
a masterpiece of oversimplification towards an issue that knows no bounds. The
relationship between ourselves and our greater society is diverse and complex. We may
not have the ability to lead a revolution single-handedly, but every single individual
holds a vast power within their voice. The more time we delegate to educate ourselves
on world affairs that we may have been blind to otherwise, the more we converse with
others and share our ideas, the more welcoming, the greater society will become. Thiswill lead to a more empathetic group of people existing to amplify the urgency of these issues. Each individual who fights for human rights must fight alongside each other to help create the change marginalized groups so desperately deserve. The only way to search for solutions to complicated systemic flaws is by collaborating and standing against oppressors as a united front.
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