Middle school students wrote essays proposing a monument to recognize a person who promotes or promoted tolerance, understanding, peace or cooperation among different groups of people. In the fifth and sixth grade category, there was a tie for first place between Amanda Mason of Parishville and Anna DeRosa of Potsdam. Runners-up were Steven DeGray, Alexa Fields, Jacob Keleher and Aaron Sala, all of Potsdam.

In the seventh and eighth grade category, Ivan Jukic of Potsdam won first place.

High school students had the opportunity to enter two different categories. For the Global Problem theme, writers designed a team to propose solutions to an important global problem. For the Global Music theme, writers created a story or other artwork inspired by a piece of music, then wrote an artist’s statement explaining their choices.

In the ninth through 12th grade Global Problem category, Madelyn Ball won first place. Corina Simonelli won second place. Runners-up were Leslie Clemons, Danielle Foisy, and Felix Grimberg. Honorable Mention recognition was awarded to Ben Stone, Alex Jandreau, Rachel Hartman, Caitlyn Kellogg, Paul Buchanan and Shawn Gooshaw. All entrants were from Potsdam High School.

In the ninth through 12th grade Global Music category, Kate Hildreth won first place. Aubrey Grudowski won second place. Runners-up were Katie Pierce, Rosa Desmond and Shannon Smith. Honorable Mention recognition was awarded to Keely O’Brien, Lindsey Martin and Gina LoMastro. All entrants were from Potsdam High School.

In all, the festival awarded $515 in prizes.

The writing contest judges included Marta Albert and Michele Pinard, faculty members in SUNY Potsdam’s School of Education and Professional Studies, and SUNY Potsdam English majors Kristen Austin, Jason Koumourdas and Ashley Saupp.

The writing contest guidelines were co-created by Carol Rossi-Fries, Jennifer Mitchell and Marsha Baxter, SUNY Potsdam faculty members.

The World in Potsdam Diversity Festival is sponsored by Clarkson University, the village of Potsdam and SUNY Potsdam. For more information, visit www.worldinpotsdam.org.