The Abdelkader Education Project (AEP) is pleased to announce the results from our annual Abdelkader Student Prize competition. This competition is presented by AEP in partnership with Iowa National History Day and open to the middle and high school students across the U.S.
Student were asked to do one of the following:
- Write an essay discussing how Emir Abd el-Kader’s life and values influenced his actions and how those values apply to modern day challenges.
- Create a graphic story (comic) based on one vignette from the Abdelkader Stage Project (middle school or high school).
Middle School Winners
Emmarie Becker
Northview Middle School, Ankeny, IA (Grade 8)
Essay
“From the start of Emir Abdelkader’s life, he was preparing how to be a great leader and how to overcome challenges. Learning about Abdelkader can show you how to meet your own challenges as well.”
Marin Knight
Ames Middle School, Ames, IA (Grade 8)
Essay
“It’s easy for one to want to see the enemy and its army suffer, but Abd el-Kader chose to take a selfless and empathetic approach to war. Today, we may not be dealing with prisoners of war and enemy armies in everyday life. However, his moral actions and their outcomes are key to our perspective, and viewing them and their situations without initial judgement all contribute to being selfless, which benefits everyone.”
Ian (Nai) Williamson
Ames Middle School, Ames, IA (Grade 8)
Olivia Zhang
Ames Middle School, Ames, IA (Grade 6)
Essay
“Abd el-Kader faced his challenges with a diverse point of view and was open to new ideas. Throughout his lifetime, he was given many different obstacles. Whether this was in daily life, or as a military leader. Everyone has different ideas, and it is important to respect them. Keeping an open minds to all decisions and views is important because there is always more than your own ideas, and that idea could potentially be more efficient or constructive.”
Middle School Honorable Mentions
Julian Braun
Ames Middle School, Ames, IA (Grade 6)
Jayme Miller
Washington Middle School, Dubuque, IA (Grade 7)
Essay
“I feel kind of connected to Abd el-Kader. I like to learn; I knew almost nothing about French Algeria before and now I feel like I know a lot and should teach others.”
High School Winners
Laith Weinberger
Georgetown Day School, Washington D.C. (Grade 10)
Essay
“Indeed, Abd el-Kader concluded his with a precient message for our future: That if we may lead, we must have the courage to oppose and confront injustice. And if we should be trusted with the fates of others, we must rank their needs above our own. That if we modernize, we must not lose the morals religious tradition provides. And if we should fight, we must not kill unless doing so is unavoidable.”
Clara Fields
Ames High School, Ames, IA (Grade 11)
Lauren Schultz
Valley High School, West Des Moines (Grade 10)
Essay
“Abd el-Kader’s actions and interest in other cultures/religions demonstrated his desire to seek our other perspectives before making unfair judgement and assumptions, bolstering his compassion and eliminating misunderstandings. Abd el-Kader’s approach of striving for understanding before assumptions and invalid representation could be focused on more in society to create a universally accepting community. Also eliminating unnecessary hate or judgements, especially in regards to the various, diverse, and distinct religious backgrounds.”
High School Honorable Mentions
Kayla Clark
Northview Middle School, Ankeny, IA (Grade 9)
The 2022-2023 competition will open this fall. Entry guidelines are subject to change. Please check back in the fall for update requirements and prompts.
We want to send a big thank you to everyone who participated in our contest and helped make it a success! Special thanks to the following teachers: Kathy Cooper, Steph Schares, Maria LoBianco, and Alexa Long.
AEP is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization whose curricula and programs emphasize diversity and inclusion. AEP’s educational tools encourage teachers and students to be informed accepting citizen and leaders. Our materials are offered free of charge on our website. Please visit the middle school or high school pages of our website.
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Middle School Honorable Mentions
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