The Anne Frank Center USA was founded by Otto Frank, Anne’s father and the only member of the family to survive the Holocaust. The Center hosts exhibits and programs dedicated to eradicating bigotry and promoting peace. In 2009, they launched The Sapling Project, awarding saplings taken from the chestnut tree Anne could see from her hiding spot. These eleven saplings were given to institutions around America dedicated to the pursuit of tolerance and justice. Some recipients of this honor include the U.S. Capitol Building, the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, and Little Rock Central High School. The Center sees the saplings as a way to bring their hopeful message to future generations.

Students entering the contest were required to write a 500-700 word response to one of the following prompts:

1. Reflect on what nature can teach us about freedom and resilience. What themes do you find in nature that might inspire a positive, more peaceful outlook? Finally, how do you think these lessons can be passed on from one generation to the next?

2. Write an essay about your vision of the world and your hopes for the future. What does the anniversary of the end of the war mean to you? What lessons do you draw from it, and how do these lessons from the past inform your view of the future? How do your thoughts compare to Anne’s? Students were asked to include quotes from Anne’s writing in their essay.

Congratulations to Katie on this prestigious award, and enjoy your time in Amsterdam!

Read more about Katie's essay in The Blade.