The Holocaust Memorial & Tolerance Center of Nassau County annually honors middle and high school students on Long Island who confront intolerance, prejudice or other forms of social injustice with the Friedlander Upstander Award.
Winners receive a $2,500 scholarship. The 9th Annual Friedlander Upstander Awards will be presented at HMTC’s Annual Tolerance Benefit on Monday, May 6 at Westbury Manor.
Due to the rise of hate speech, hate crimes and bullying on Long Island and nationally, those who make a difference in their schools and communities by acting as Upstanders are more important than ever. HMTC defines an Upstander as a person who stands up for others, and does not allow bigotry, hatred or intolerance to happen without intercession.
Every year they honor middle and high school students from across Long Island who have demonstrated the actions of an Upstander. The student’s action could be one of intervention or prevention, big or small.
Those who are interested in applying must be enrolled in a middle or high school on Long Island, must have a brief nomination letter from a teacher or guidance counselor, and must write a 500-word essay on what actions they have taken that make them an Upstanders. Applications for the Friedlander Upstander Award are due on Tuesday, April 2.
The Friedlander Upstander Award is generously provided by the Claire Friedlander Family Foundation in partnership with the Holocaust Memorial & Tolerance Center of Nassau County.
For more information, contact Helen Turner, director of youth education at HMTC at 516-571-8040 or helenturner@hmtcli.org.
