May 09, 2023 [St. Petersburg, FL — St. Petersburg, Florida – The Florida Holocaust Museum (The FHM) will be hosting its annual Anne Frank Humanitarian Award (AFHA) Ceremonies at the Museum, honoring exceptional students from five Tampa Bay Counties, and featuring prominent keynote speakers The Anne Frank Humanitarian Award, established in 2001 by Irene Weiss, a former FHM Board Chair and current Advisory Council Member, honors outstanding humanitarian efforts by high school juniors in 97 public and private schools in Pinellas, Pasco, Hillsborough, Sarasota, and Manatee counties. Guidance Counselors, principals, and faculty nominate students who have made a conscious decision to better the lives of other individuals or groups both inside and outside of school activities. These students model the words of Anne Frank, who wrote, “How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.”. Anne Frank Humanitarian Award honorees are recognized in front of their peers at school and are celebrated with a reception held at The Museum. Family, Friends, educators, and community leaders are invited to join The Museum in honoring their humanitarianism. By “doing the right thing”, AFHA recipients hold true to the nature and spirit of Anne Frank who, in the face of great hardship, did not abandon her ideals. Their conscious efforts to better the lives of others in their schools, community, and beyond, embody the mission and principles of the Museum and help make the world a better place. As role models for their peers and the community during their senior year and beyond, their gifts of kindness, altruism, and community service help to make the world a better place and remind us that with their leadership our future is bright and hopeful. Each AFHA honoree will receive a glass plaque commemorating their service, a family membership to The FHM, a copy of The Diary of Young Girl by Anne Frank, and an inspirational stone. The program is made possible by presenting sponsor Publix Super Markets Charities, Inc. Additional sponsors include: The James H. and Amy G. Shimberg Family Foundation, Laura and Kevin Morris in memory of Zach Morris, Werner and Rosa Cohn (of blessed memory), Lois and Peter Pardoll, Irene and Steve Weiss, Rachael and Don Worthington, Carolyn Bass; and Dennis (of blessed memory) and Jody Sherman. The Florida Holocaust Museum’s award has the endorsement of the Anne Frank House in New York. Anne Frank Humanitarian Award dates and keynote speakers: Tuesday, May 16Keynote Speaker: 2010 Anne Frank Humanitarian Award Honoree Reilly DabbsGuest speaker: 2022 Anne Frank Humanitarian Award Honoree, Caitlyn Traxler, Manatee School for the Arts Wednesday, May 17Keynote Speaker: 2010 Anne Frank Humanitarian Award Honoree Reilly DabbsGuest Speaker: 2022 Anne Frank Humanitarian Award Honoree, Boca Ciega High School, Mykenzi Davis-Cowart Please stay engaged with The FHM online through the Museum’s virtual tour, virtual resources, online curriculum, collections, Holocaust Survivor testimonies, and on its social media pages Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. About The Florida Holocaust MuseumOne of the largest Holocaust museums in the country, and one of three nationally accredited Holocaust museums, The Florida Holocaust Museum honors the memory of millions of men, women, and children who suffered or died in the Holocaust. The FHM is dedicated to teaching members of all races and cultures the inherent worth and dignity of human life in order to prevent future genocides. For additional information, please visit www.TheFHM.org |