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Trabuco Hills Artist Awarded for Holocaust Painting

Katy Brannigan takes first place with her artistic portrayal of "Spaces of Memory".

Katy Brannigan, a 17-year-old student at Trabuco Hills High School, won first place in the Annual Holocaust Art and Writing Contest for her “Spaces of Memory” poster.

Contestants had to watch videos of many survivor testimonies and reflect on their own space of memory between past and present. Katy chose holocaust survivor Elly Kamm, who was saved when her mother asked her to go back and get more shoes. Upon Elly’s return, her mother and brother had been put on a train to a death camp.

Katy admits that her struggle with dyslexia can’t compare to Elly’s experiences as a holocaust survivor. But Katy can relate to being singled out.

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Her artist’s statement gives some insight into how Katy drew on her experiences to create her first-place poster.

“My dyslexia has given me my own demons and imprisoned me in special education classes," she said. "I have always fought the stereotype of not being worthy.”

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Katy won $500. and a trip to Washington, D.C. for a parent, a teacher and herself.

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