Award Ceremony Article: Student Upstanders, Stop the Hate Awards, and Aurora High School Finalists

AURORA, Ohio – Ten courageous students from Aurora High School were recently recognized as finalists at the Maltz Museum’s annual Stop the Hate Awards ceremony. These students were celebrated for their commitment to being "upstanders" in their community, using their personal essays and voices to challenge discrimination and promote inclusion within the Aurora City School District and beyond.Recognizing the Stop the Hate Awards FinalistsThe Stop the Hate Awards serve as a signature program of the Maltz Museum, designed to encourage Northeast Ohio students in grades 6–12 to speak out against injustice. By reaching the final stage of this competitive contest, the ten Aurora High School students demonstrated exceptional leadership and empathy. Their participation highlights a growing culture of social responsibility among the "United Greenmen," as they articulated personal experiences and solutions for creating a more equitable society.How Aurora High School Promotes Upstander CultureAurora High School (AHS) administrators, including Principal Dr. Paul Milcetich and Assistant Principal Sean Baker, have long emphasized the importance of students becoming active upstanders. The school’s success in the Stop the Hate Awards reflects a curriculum that encourages critical thinking and civic engagement. By providing a platform for these voices, AHS ensures that the values of the Aurora community are represented on a regional stage, fostering an environment where students feel empowered to address difficult social issues.Impact of the Maltz Museum Partnership on Northeast OhioThe collaboration between local schools and the Maltz Museum provides significant "information gain" for students, as it offers both a historical context for prejudice and a modern framework for activism. For Aurora, having ten finalists in a single year is a testament to the district's dedication to the #UnitedGreenmen initiative. This achievement not only brings pride to the city of Aurora but also inspires younger students in the district to consider how their own words can combat hate and drive positive change in the world.