Early College High School (ECHS) Sophomore Monique Sburlea was recently recognized as a finalist in the 25th Annual Holocaust Art & Writing Contest, co-sponsored by the Rodgers Center for Holocaust Education at Chapman University and The 1939 Society, a community of Holocaust survivors, descendants, and friends. Sburlea’s poem “Death Comes Knocking at the Door” was inspired by Holocaust survivor Hanka Kent.

“I am so proud of Monique. Her poetic response to Hanka Kent's narrative showcases her ability to create powerful images and to convey deep meaning,” said ECHS Teacher Anne Lawrence.

The contest asks students to critically examine the ways that World War II and the Holocaust impacted the lives of everyday people. Students in Lawrence’s 10th-grade Comparative Literature course at ECHS read historical novels, conduct academic research, and participate in group discussions. For the contest, they are also asked to listen to a recorded testimonial and compose a piece of writing, either in poetry or prose, responding to a prompt relating to the theme “Answering the Call of Memory: Choosing to Act.”

“Students are asked to see the strength and resilience of everyday people, and they are encouraged to create a world where hate will never win,” Lawrence explained.

Lawrence’s students shared their work with their peers, who chose the three entries the school submitted for the contest.  

Kent was a young girl living in Poland when she was sent to the first of three concentration camps. After being liberated from Bergen-Belsen at the end of WWII, she moved to New York, where she met her husband and had two children. She died in 2018 at age 88.

"Not only am I inspired by Monique's poetic submission to the Holocaust Art & Writing Contest, as she poignantly captures the essence of Kent's testimonial, but I am also hopeful our young people can learn from these experiences and be empowered to lead others to combat all forms of hate,” said ECHS Principal Dr. David Martinez, who added that sophomores continue their education on the Holocaust with a visit to the Los Angeles Museum of Tolerance in the spring.