Update: Attleboro Student Paints Award-Winning Holocaust Scene

Caroline Fortin, an eighth grade student at  in Attleboro, won first place award for the 2011 Holocaust Education and Resource Center of Rhode Island annual art and writing contest.

"I enjoy art and drawing, so I decided to participate in the contest because I thought it would be a fun experience," Fortin said. "After learning about the Holocaust during literature and taking on the part of Anne Frank in a play, I knew what the victims went through, so it felt more meaningful to paint the picture."

"We received over 200 entries from middle and high schools this year," said Center Director, May-Ronny Zeidman. "Caroline was one of several students who will receive an award."

All entries are read and judged by a group of members from the Center's Board of Directors, according to Zeidman. "Many of our judges are educators and some are artists in their own right," she added. "Our goal is to encourage students to take part in this program.

 There is a $100 cash gift for the overall best writing entry and the same for the art entry and the awards are funded by the Singer Art Endowment and the Morris Gastfreund Endowment for writing. 

"Ms. Singer and Mr. Gastfreund are both Holocaust Survivors," Zeidman said. "Although Caroline did not win the best in show for art, her work shows great talent and empathy for the subject."

Winners and their families have been invited to participate in the awards ceremony and ice cream social taking place Sunday, May 22, at the Providence Center.