Inspired by stories of local Holocaust survivors, Crestwood Elementary fifth grader Isabella Bolin wrote an essay about lessons she learned, and then won a contest.

Bolin submitted her essay in the middle-school writing category of the Holocaust Center for Humanity’s 2019 Writing, Art and Film contest. She was awarded third place, according to Holocaust Center for Humanity’s press release. Hundreds of students from over 60 schools entered the contest.

“Whent he entries pour in from students around the state, from rural and urban public schools, parochial schools, students who are home schooled, really all over, we see that students strive and genuinely intend to improve our world,” Direction of Education Ilana Cone Kennedy stated in the press release. “It’s very inspiring, and tells us that our work at the Center is as important today as it’s ever been.”

Read Bolin’s essay below:

Holocaust Essay

By Isabella Bolin

Fifth grade, Crestwood Elementary, Covington.

Teacher – Jane Scott.

Holocaust Writing, Art and Film Contest 2019.

Stella DeLeon inspired me. Stella DeLeon encouraged me to never give up on hope, it will eventually come around. Read on to learn more about this astonishing woman!

One thing that made me believe to never give up on hope is when Stella’s sister, Janetta, died just three days before being deported! I can understand how depressing it can be to lose a loved one, it breaks you, it makes you shut down, and pushes everyone you love away. I bet you everyone has lost somone. But, Stella only had her sister at the end. Imagine how that feels? But Stella stood strong and she made it out alive with her sister Flora. After the Holocaust, out of their 2000-year-old community only 151 Jews survived the terrible incident, including Stella and Flora.

A huge part that inspired me is when one of Stella’s cousins sponsored them to come to America. After living in Los Angeles for two years, they went on a trip to Seattle and met her future husband, Ralph DeLeon. Together they had two children. Stella and Ralph name their girl Rochelle and the boy Jack. You know where they go those names from? Those names were from her beloved siblings that passed away during the Holocaust. I know personally I wouldn’t be able to name my children after my siblings that died. Sadly, in 2001 Stella died. I hope Stella is flyig high in Heaven.

Stella helped me open my eyes and see that everyone should always be kind. If I could have talked to her in person, I would have told her that she is an amazing person and that she helped me learn that noe everyone has gone through was you have.