Anti-hate projects give sense of empowerment

High school students have been praised for their creative projects tackling discrimination, inspired by studying the Holocaust.

The Dora Love Prize is named after a Jewish Holocaust survivor from Lithuania, who settled in Colchester, and worked to promote tolerance and understanding.

Nineteen schools from Suffolk, Essex, Bournemouth and Canada took part, with Northgate in Ipswich the overall winner.

Janet Love, Dora's daughter, said: "All of this does her memory proud, but also does service to our countries, our consciousness, and to making the world a better place... even in these difficult times."

This year saw two county finals, in Suffolk and Essex, before the grand final at the Suffolk Archives building on the Ipswich waterfront on Friday.

Hedingham School and Sixth Form, Sible Hedingham, Halstead, was the Essex winner.

East Bergholt High School was the Suffolk runner-up, with Northgate the Suffolk winner.

Felixstowe school won the special founder's prize, St Edward's School, Poole, was best newcomer, and Meadowridge School in Maple Ridge, British Columbia, Canada was rewarded for its online project.

Students heard from Holocaust survivor Maurice Blik, as well as Janet Love, who was on a live video link from her home in South Africa.

Each school also had a display showcasing their projects for parents and guests to view.

These included creating boardgames, constructing models and displays, writing plays, researching migration histories and teaching lessons to younger students.

Isla, 14, from Northgate, said: "I learnt a lot about the present day and how people are still affected by discrimination and a lack of representation.

"I also got a lot of opportunities out of it, being able to teach classes and go to different places and learn new things."

Colchester city councillor and former mayor Lesley Scott-Boutell is a trustee and patron of the charity.

She said: "As a disabled person, it's about raising awareness.

"It's such an important message, we mustn't forget what happened and we must empower our young people."

Bunny, 15, from Ipswich High School, read a short summary of Dora's life at the start of the event, and spoke about being part of the competition.

"I feel such a sense of empowerment, being able to tell people about these important events so they can learn these things... they can change the future."

Do you have a story suggestion? Contact us below.

Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.