Representing 10 Palm Beach County schools from all parts to the county, 49 students and 14 teachers were honored by the Palm Beach Fellowship of Christians and Jews on Tuesday, May 20 at an awards ceremony and pizza party for the organization’s annual Essay and Creative Arts Competition.
The theme of the 2025 contest, “Seeking Common Ground,” inspired entries in categories including visual art, spoken word, video, music, essays and poetry. Winning students received cash prizes and a gift bag, while their supervising teachers received financial assistance for classroom supplies.
More than 100 family members, educators and community members attended the event, which was held at the community room of the Wells Fargo Bank in Palm Beach. Fellowship Vice Chair Maggie Zeidman provided an overview of the organization’s mission and activities, followed by the award presentations by Board Member Michael Small and Executive Director Sherri Gilbert. Education Chair Charles Hagy announced that “Gratitude” would be the topic for the 2026 contest. Entry forms and guidelines will be available at www.palmbeachfellowship.net later this summer.
Teachers from the western communities receiving recognition included Steve Gordon of Wellington (Western Pines Middle School), Ashley Monastra of Loxahatchee (Bak Middle School of the Arts) and Mirla Ortega of Royal Palm Beach (Glades Central High School).
Winning students from the area include: Sophia Au, Bak (second place, drawing/painting); Ben Carpentier, Rosarian Academy (special judges’ award, video); Leslie Cruz, Glades Central (second place tie, high school essay); Elisa Duran, Rosarian Academy (special judges’ award, video); Isabella Falcones, Bak (first place, drawing/painting); Maximo Farias, Western Pines (third place, essay grade 8); Loriana Herriford, Western Pines (second place, essay grade 7); Keirah Jimeson, Glades Central (first place, high school essay); Ayaan Khan, the Benjamin School (third place, essay grades 5/6); Noelle Moran, Rosarian Academy (special judges’ award, video); Lucas Myers, Western Pines (first place, essay grade 7); Emile Phanithavong, Panther Run Elementary School (first place, essay grades 5/6); Jaset Pina-Flores, Western Pines (second place, essay grade 8); Adriana Ramirez-Delgado, Glades Central (third place tie, high school essay); Jhuliana Sanchez, Bak (third place, drawing/painting); Talya Sterling, Glades Central (third place tie, high school essay); Hannah Thomas, Rosarian Academy (second place, essay grades 5/6); Khloe Ugarte, Rosarian Academy (second place, spoken word); and Mauren Vazquez, Glades Central (second place tie, high school essay).
Founded in 1993 by a handful of interfaith friends in Palm Beach concerned about religious discrimination, the Palm Beach Fellowship of Christians and Jews is dedicated to promoting fellowship, understanding and respect among people of all faiths and backgrounds in the community through education, dialogue and interaction, addressing issues rooted in intolerance, antisemitism, hate and unjust discrimination.
In addition to the annual student contest and other programs and events, the fellowship provides scholarships for Palm Beach County teachers to attend Holocaust education training.
