Sixth Grader’s Holocaust Tribute Poem Wins Regional Award

Sixth grader Ishanvi Kuppili was recognized for her original poem, “A Melancholic Journey.”
 
The competition theme, “Preserving Humanity: Stories of Local Survivors,” challenged students to reflect on the experiences of Holocaust survivors connected to the Pittsburgh region. Coordinated by Boyce teacher Sherri Garvey, the competition was offered as an enrichment opportunity to all sixth graders. Students could choose to create either a poem or an art project inspired by survivor stories.

“Everyone on our staff and board was impressed with Ishanvi’s submission,” Dan Singleton, education and partnerships associate at the HCP, said. “Ishanvi’s poem is a moving tribute to Irene Furst, a Holocaust survivor who built a life in the Greater Pittsburgh region after WWII.”
 
The competition includes three rounds of judging. Each participating school first selects one entry per category to advance. In the second round, judges from the Holocaust Center of Pittsburgh review submissions and choose one overall winner in each category. A grand prize winner is then selected from among the category winners. 

In addition to Ishanvi’s award-winning poem, Boyce sixth grader Giana Zambri was selected as the school’s winner in the middle school 2D art category for her painting inspired by Holocaust survivor Edith Balas. Both students’ works advanced to the regional judging round.

Ishanvi, Giana and the other finalists were honored during an awards ceremony May 12, 2026, at Chatham University.

The Waldman Arts & Writing Competition is open to students throughout Pennsylvania, eastern Ohio and West Virginia. The Holocaust Center of Pittsburgh is a program of the Tree of Life.

Waldman Arts & Writing Competition Category Winners:

• Essay – High School: Sanvi Banka, Mt. Lebanon High School
• Poetry – High School: Caylin Raymond, Southmoreland High School
• 2-D Art – High School: Yetzubeli Montoya, Juniata High School
• 3-D Art – High School: Einin Wolf-Johnston, Seneca Valley Intermediate High School
• Poetry – Middle School: Ishanvi Kuppili, Boyce Middle School 
• 2-D Art – Middle School: Jamya Walker, Propel McKeesport
• 3-D Art – Middle School: Maya Innocent, Springdale Jr./Sr. High School

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A Melancholic Journey 

written by Ishanvi Kuppili, grade 6

The swallow is a philosopher 
Her name is Irene Furst 
And the nazis portray a snake 
slyly 
As the white swallow rests on the branch 
And the sly snake watches waiting for its prey 
Patiently 
The swallow flies home 
Afraid of the snake 
Wanting to follow his rules 
Obediently 
The snake might force the swallow into a log 
The swallow doesn’t give up 
Hopefully 
The log is tight and sweaty 
The swallow looks out 
Longingly 
The swallows mother dies 
The swallow doesn’t cry 
Resiliently 
The swallow is moved Into a new log 
Its name is Auschwitz 
Fearfully 
The swallow is separated 
From her father this time 
sorrowfully 
The swallow’s sister is next 
She dies of typhus 
Melancholically 
The swallow is set free 
moving on 
Afraid to tell her story 
She comes over the fear 
Humbly 
The swallow doesn’t hate the snake 
But she will never forgive him 
Respectfully 
We should celebrate our differences  
Treat people well 
And preserve humanity 
For humanity is all we have