Holocaust Museum Praises 'Upstanding' Students Confronting Intolerance

GLEN COVE, NY — A rise in hate is bringing some praise to a handful of students for stepping up to the challenge.

The Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance has selected six students from across Long Island, who confront intolerance, prejudice or other forms of social injustice, with the Friedlander Upstander Award.

The list of winners are:

• Yo-Jia Tang (Anjelica Wu), 12th grader at Great Neck North Senior High School received a $5,000 scholarship
• Maekyla Massey, 11th grader at Baldwin High School received a $2,500 scholarship
• Plainview-Old Bethpage Middle School 8th grader Nicole Dugan ($5,000 award)
• Joslyn Mayers, 8th grader at Westbury Middle School ($2,500 award)
• Jamie Pham, a Farmingdale High School 12th grader ($5,000 award)
• Ava Mir, Northport High School - 12th grader ($2,500 award)

The Holocaust Tolerance Center considers an upstander as a person who stands up for others and doesn't allow bigotry, hatred or intolerance to happen without intervening.

Students explained what makes them "upstanders" in 500-word essays.