Torrance, CA (November 18, 2013): On November 10, 2013, the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles' Holy Land Democracy Project held their 10th Annual Student Awards Ceremony at the Pico Union Center in Downtown Los Angeles.
The project brings Israel education to charter, private, and religious schools throughout Southern California. As part of the curriculum, non-Jewish students learn a 5-lesson course (titled The Many Faces of Israel) about Israel from their teacher's, all of whom have traveled throughout the Holy Land with staff members from the Holy Land Democracy Project. Bishop Montgomery's staff member is religion instructor and veteran teacher Mr. John Fitzsimons. As part of the course, students submit creative works reflecting on what they learned. Bishop Montgomery was certainly well-represented at the awards ceremony.
Senior Travis Talcott '14 (pictured with Mr. Fitzsimons, bottom) took 1st place in the essay contest and received a $500 Israeli Savings Bond. Classmate Richard Duval '14 placed 3rd in the essay contest and received a $100 savings bond.
In the poetry contest, sophomore Jorge Carbajal '16 placed 3rd and received a $100 savings bond.
In the art contest, two BMHS sophomores earned Honorable Mention recognition: Analiza Balila '16 and Marcos Huerta '16 (pictured with Mr. Fitzsimons, top).
In addition to our winners, Bishop Montgomery's Ambassadors volunteered their time working at the event (pictured, middle).
For more information about the Jewish Federation and the Holy Land Democracy project, click here.
To read an article about the awards ceremony, click here.