Skye Kneller, a recent Grade 12 graduate from the Gray Academy was named as the 2009 recipient of the “Mina Rosner Human Rights Award,” with her winning essay “Give Me Your Children.”

Skye's experience on the March of the Living in May 2008 became the backbone to her winning essay and to her daily life. Her purpose in Poland and in Israel was to honour the lives of the members of her grandparent's families who had not survived. "On the March, I learned that our voices are the most powerful tools for change that we possess," says Kneller. "I chose to write about the aspect of the Shoa that horrified me the most; the deaths of one and a half million children."

Skye is currently attending the University of Winnipeg where she is taking a Holocaust class as well as science courses. "I try to stay involved in Holocaust education efforts, assemblies, and presentations," says Kneller. "Winning the award was a huge honour I never expected to receive and it cemented the fact that my voice could be heard." To read Skye Kneller's winning essay, click here.

Mina Rosner was a Winnipeg mother, grandmother, businesswoman, author and educator and Holocaust survivor. Growing up in the Ukraine, Mina witnessed her friends, family and community ruthlessly exterminated by the Nazis. After the war, she became dedicated to educating people about the

Holocaust and devoted countless hours to speaking engagements with hundreds of students about the importance of combating racism and discrimination and defending human rights.

After her passing in 1997 at the age of 84, Mina’s family and friends decided to keep her memory and legacy alive by creating “The Mina Rosner Memorial Fund” at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba.

The $400 prize is awarded to students (Grades 9-12) in Manitoba who produce the best essays about the Holocaust and the importance of championing human rights.