
As part of the commemoration of Genocide Awareness and Prevention Month (April), the Friends of THGC have funded the Texas Holocaust and Genocide Commission to host a video competition open to all Texas students in grades 6-12. The theme for 2013 and 2014 was “The Upstander and the Bystander,” the goal of the contest was to help others understand the difference between being a bystander who turns away, letting others come to harm, and an upstander who acts to help others.
The 2014 Video Contest was expanded to award Gold, Silver and Bronze scholarships in two categories; grades 6-8 and grades 9-12. Over 255 students participated in 2014 with a total of 27 award entries. The Friends received the following note from St. Stephen’s Episcopal School.
In 2015 the contest participation increased by approximately 77% resulting from wider publication and visits to different ISD Social Studies departments. Teachers were excited that the Friends of THGC provided a student involvement program where they provide solutions to problems they observe in their everyday lives.

Commissioner Martin Fein with 1st Place – 2013 Video Contest Winners
Each year, the Texas Holocaust and Genocide Commission conducts a video contest as part of Genocide Awareness Month, April, open to all Texas students. Submitted videos are between one to two-and-a-half minutes long and focus on year’s theme. The 2012 and 2013 theme was “The Upstander and the Bystander,” and the 2015 theme was “Creating a More Just World.”
The 2013 Texas Holocaust and Genocide Commission video contest winners were EvieEngram, Liza Marhanka, and Julianne Toates from Bruce Kirsch’s class at BishopLynch High School in Dallas.
Congratulations to the winners on their wonderful video that can be found on the THGC website. The Friends thanks Fran and Mark Berg and Dr. Kelli and Martin Fein who underwrote this scholarship program.
2015 Video Contest Winners (Grades 6th – 8th)
Award | Video Title | School |
---|---|---|
Gold | Erasing Injustice | TH Rogers Middle School |
Gold | Untitled | Dripping Springs Middle School |
Silver | Domestic Violence | Holy Rosary Catholic School |
Silver | Stereo Friends | TH Rogers Middle School |
Silver | The Injustice | TH Rogers Middle School |
Silver | Theft Against the Elderly | Holy Rosary Catholic School |
Silver | Unjust Abuse | Holy Rosary Catholic School |
Bronze | Before It’s Too Late | Johnston Middle School |
Bronze | Discrimination Against Latinos | Holy Rosary Catholic School |
Bronze | Discrimination of Women’s Rights | Holy Rosary Catholic School |
Bronze | Untitled | Dripping Springs Middle School |
Bronze | Injusticia en los Estados Unidos | Zan Wesley Holmes Middle School |
Bronze | Racial Discrimination | Holy Rosary Catholic School |
Bronze | Racism | Harmony Science Academy |
Bronze | Rick’s On Water Show | United Day School |
Bronze | Stereotyping a Life Away | Johnston Middle School |
Bronze | The Atrocity | TH Rogers Middle School |
Bronze | The Genocide of Ethiopia | North Shore Middle School |
Bronze | We | TH Rogers Middle School |
Honorable Mention | Accept Me | Johnston Middle School |
Honorable Mention | Animal Abuse | Holy Rosary Catholic School |
Honorable Mention | Creating a Just World | Las Americas Learning Center |
Honorable Mention | Discrimination Against African Americans | Holy Rosary Catholic School |
Honorable Mention | Discrimination Against Women in Afghanistan | Holy Rosary Catholic School |
Honorable Mention | Elderly Abuse | Holy Rosary Catholic School |
Honorable Mention | Homeless Discrimination | Holy Rosary Catholic School |
Honorable Mention | Labeling | Holy Rosary Catholic School |
Honorable Mention | Poverty and Education | TH Rogers Middle School |
Honorable Mention | Prejudice | Holy Rosary Catholic School |
Honorable Mention | Sharing | TH Rogers Middle School |
Honorable Mention | Silent | TH Rogers Middle School |
Honorable Mention | Stereotypes | Holy Rosary Catholic School |
Honorable Mention | The Poor | Holy Rosary Catholic School |
Honorable Mention | Untitled | Dripping Springs Middle School |
2015 Video Contest Winners (Grades 9th – 12th)
Award | Video Title | School |
---|---|---|
Gold | Let Your Voice Be Heard: Creating a More Just World | El Paso High School |
Gold | Think | St. Stephen’s Episcopal School |
Silver | 4 Reasons | John Jay High School |
Silver | Creating a Just World | El Paso High School |
Silver | CURES | Lanier High School |
Silver | Human Trafficking | North Shore Senior High School |
Silver | World Hunger | Lee High School |
Bronze | Accepting Others | John Jay High School |
Bronze | Child Abuse in America | Lee High School |
Bronze | Creating a Just World | Arrow Academy |
Bronze | Drug Cartel Problems | Miller High School |
Bronze | Everyone Has a Choice | John Jay High School |
Bronze | Fat4Ever | Elsik High School |
Bronze | HEARTS | John Jay High School |
Bronze | Help Is Out There | Fort Bend County Alternative School |
Bronze | Reach Out | El Paso High School |
Bronze | The Effects of Innocent People on Death Row | Miller High School |
Bronze | Tolerance = More Than Just World | Lee High School |
Bronze | Valerie | North Shore Senior High School |
Honorable Mention | Be Yourself | B.F. Terry High School |
Honorable Mention | Break the Cycle | John Jay High School |
Honorable Mention | Create Justice Now | Lee High School |
Honorable Mention | Creating a Just World – The Untold Story | El Paso High School |
Honorable Mention | Don’t Be a Bystander | John Jay High School |
Honorable Mention | Drastic Change | Elsik High School |
Honorable Mention | Fitting in | Elsik High School |
Honorable Mention | Helping the Homeless | John Jay High School |
Honorable Mention | Inequality | Lee High School |
Honorable Mention | Judgmental | Elsik High School |
Honorable Mention | Just a Word | Elsik High School |
Honorable Mention | Just World | John Jay High School |
Honorable Mention | Notes with Ester | Holy Trinity Catholic High School |
Honorable Mention | Open Your Eyes | John Jay High School |
Honorable Mention | Over the Rainbow | Unknown |
Honorable Mention | Puppy Mill Awareness | Miller High School |
Honorable Mention | The Six Levels of Racial Suppression | El Paso High School |
Honorable Mention | Stop in the Name of Love | John Jay High School |
Honorable Mention | THGC Video Contest 2015 | John Jay High School |
Honorable Mention | Untitled | El Paso High School |
Honorable Mention | Untitled | North Shore Senior High School |
Honorable Mention | Untitled | John Jay High School |
2014 Video Contest Winners (Grades 6th – 8th)
Gold Key Winners
Student(s) | School | ISD |
---|---|---|
Monika Nikicicz | Holy Rosary Catholic School | Private Rosenberg |
Middle School Entry | St. Stephen’s Episcopal School | Private Houston |
Silver Key Winners
Student(s) | School | ISD |
---|---|---|
Raffele Cardone | TH Rogers Middle School | Houston ISD |
Naomi Sierra-Gomez Audry Stuart, Mia Coyle |
Johnston Middle School | Houston ISD |
Cameron Lewis Xonzy Gaddis, Amir Bobata, Johnston |
Johnston Middle School | Houston ISD |
Christopher Williams Lauren Ibarra |
Holy Rosary Catholic School | Private Rosenberg |
Rachel Lindemann | Holy Rosary Catholic School | Private Rosenberg |
Bronze Key Winners
Student(s) | School | ISD |
---|---|---|
Garrett Holmes, Lindsey Ho | TH Rogers Middle School | Houston ISD |
Julia Nguyen, Jennifer Xu Hannah Gill |
Holy Rosary Catholic School | Private Rosenberg |
Alex Ling, Andy Nguyen, | TH Rogers Middle School | Houston ISD |
Dean Vicerra, Harbin Cheung Julia Morrison |
Holy Rosary Catholic School | Private Rosenberg |
Lisette Ibarra | Holy Rosary Catholic School | Private Rosenberg |
Coley Auguillard | Lamar Fleming Middle School | Houston ISD |
Gen Dietz | Holy Rosary Catholic School | Private Rosenberg |
Klarissa Lopez | Holy Rosary Catholic School | Private Rosenberg |
Juan De Dios Abboud | United Day School | Private Laredo |
Shini Meyer Wang | TH Rogers Middle School | Houston ISD |
Melissa Zhang, Joanna Zhou and Muskaan Narula Christian Soto |
United Day School | Private Laredo |
Emma Linder | Holy Rosary Catholic School | Private Rosenberg |
2014 Video Contest Winners (Grades 9th – 12th)
Gold Key Winners
Student(s) | School | ISD |
---|---|---|
Daniela Lopez | Cinco Ranch High School | Katy ISD |
Silver Key Winners
Student(s) | School | ISD |
---|---|---|
Kira Conde & Renee | El Paso High School | El Paso ISD |
Diana Lara & Denisse | El Paso High School | El Paso ISD |
Santiesteban Erika Garcia |
Jefferson Davis High School | Houston ISD |
Bronze Key Winners
Student(s) | School | ISD |
---|---|---|
Taylor Malooly and Alissa Kim | El Paso High School | El Paso ISD |
Vijay Balasekaran, Alexander | Odessa High School | Ector County ISD |
Ha, Justin Bacani, Sunil Athyala Mathias Rivera, Timothy |
Odessa High School | Ector County ISD |
Watkins, Courtney Lefevers Jennifer Cuello |
Jefferson Davis High School | Houston ISD |
Reina Zapata | High Island High School | High Island ISD |
Donald Cao | Elsik High School | Houston ISD |
In 2015 the contest participation increased by approximately 77% resulting from wider publication and visits to different ISD Social Studies departments. Teachers are excited that the Friends of THGC provide a student involvement program where they provide solutions to problems they observe in their everyday lives.
The 2015 theme was “Creating a More Just World.” 450 students participated across the state. Students were able to express their ideas of what they felt could alleviate situations that exist and require radical change. The Friends awarded $7,000 for 47 gold, silver and bronze awards. The impact to students through their involvement will resonate as cause to be addressed as they progress toward adulthood.