The Holocaust Memorial & Tolerance Center (HMTC) of Nassau County in Glen Cove,hosted its remarkable Upstander event for teenagers across Long Island, honoring their accomplishments in empowering and educating peers, and standing up against discrimination and intolerance.
On Monday, May 20, eight students were recognized as the 2024 Claire Friedlander Upstander Award recipients for their leadership and commitment to making the world a better place by taking action against prejudices, indifference, and hatred.
“We believe that educating young people about the importance of tolerance and standing up against hate is crucial for building a more inclusive and respectful society,” said Moji Pourmoradi, executive director of the Holocaust Memorial & Tolerance Center.
The HMTC has partnered with the Claire Friedlander Family Foundation for the past 12 years to award education scholarships ranging from $1,000-$5,000 todeserving students. Friedlander was a Holocaust survivor whose life was saved by people who took a stand against prejudice. The award winners have demonstrated themselves as upstanders against tolerance in all forms, with their actions reflected in their everyday lives.
The Nassau County High School level first place award winner is senior Yoav Muscal of Plainview-Old Bethpage Central School District. Phoebe George of Glen Cove City School District also received the distinction, taking home the second place honor.
The Suffolk County School District Award winner highlights Samuel Davis as the first-place recipient, a junior from Cold Spring Harbor School District, and Destiny Blackwood, a senior from Center Moriches School District who received the second-place award.
The HMTC also distinguished Middle School students from Nassau and Suffolk as these courageous young adults have exemplified upstanding for future generations. Nassau County Middle School winners are two eighth graders, Takoua King of Great Neck School District and Zenab-Shazadi Chaudry of Sewanhaka Central High School District.
Suffolk County middle school Upstander Award winners are eighth graders Onyeka Ndika, from North Babylon School District, and Olivia Andriani of Port Jefferson School District.
To receive the distinction, students must know the importance of guarding the rights and safety of others and believe in HMTC’s powerful message that every individual can make a difference in their communities and no act is too small to inspire change.
The Upstander Awards are designed to honor students who highlight the values of empathy, tolerance, and action against hate. The HMTC hopes to encourage all students to be upstanders as Long Island students of all races, ethnicities, and religions are eligible to be presented with the award.
