Brady Middle School student wins Stop the Hate contest

Orange Schools news roundup highlights student achievements across the district

Apr. 16, 2026 at 5:24pm

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A brightly colored, high-contrast silkscreen print of a single, iconic school supply item such as a pencil or notebook repeated in a tight grid pattern, utilizing flat, vibrant, and unnatural neon color palettes overlapping with heavy black photographic outlines to turn everyday educational objects into modern pop art.A vibrant celebration of student creativity and the power of words to inspire positive change in schools and communities.Cleveland Today

A seventh-grader at Brady Middle School in Pepper Pike, Ohio named Anna Kellermann won first place in the Middle School Poetry category of the Maltz Museum's annual Stop the Hate contest for her poem 'Words'. Anna presented her award-winning poem at a ceremony attended by hundreds of people.

Why it matters

The Stop the Hate contest provides a platform for middle and high school students in Northeast Ohio to share their stories and inspire positive change through creative writing. Anna's victory highlights the talent and social awareness of students in the Orange City School District.

The details

Anna's poem 'Words' was selected as the top entry out of thousands of submissions from across the region. She was one of five finalists in the Middle School Poetry category. Anna's teacher, Lee Ensman, encouraged her to submit the poem, which the school district described as having a 'profoundly important message' and showing wisdom beyond Anna's years.

  • Anna presented her poem at the awards ceremony on April 14, 2026.
  • The Stop the Hate contest receives nearly 3,000 student entries each year.

The players

Anna Kellermann

A seventh-grader at Brady Middle School in Pepper Pike, Ohio who won first place in the Middle School Poetry category of the Maltz Museum's Stop the Hate contest for her poem 'Words'.

Lee Ensman

Anna Kellermann's teacher at Brady Middle School who encouraged her to submit the award-winning poem to the Stop the Hate contest.

Maltz Museum

The organization that hosts the annual Stop the Hate contest, which gives middle and high school students a platform to share their stories and inspire positive change through creative writing.

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What they’re saying

“I am so happy for Anna. Her message is profoundly important. She is wise beyond her years.”

— Lee Ensman, Anna Kellermann's teacher

What’s next

Anna and her poem 'Words' will be honored at the Maltz Museum's awards ceremony, and she will receive a $400 cash prize for her first-place finish in the Middle School Poetry category.

The takeaway

The success of Anna Kellermann and other students in the Orange City School District at the Stop the Hate contest demonstrates the district's commitment to fostering creativity, social awareness, and positive change among its young people.