August 2023                                                                                                      Volume 8

Exciting News Alert!

We’re thrilled to announce the 2023 Discovery Award semi-finalists!

These talented individuals have wowed us with their extraordinary stories of unsung heroes from history told via website, documentary or performance. Join us in celebrating their remarkable achievements and show your support for these talented students.

Mark your calendars, as we will announce the finalists on September 1st and the 2023 Lowell Milken Center Discovery Award winners on September 19th.

Stay tuned for more updates and make sure to share this exciting news with your friends and colleagues. Together, let’s champion the power of one person to create positive change!

Looking Back at the 2022 Discovery Award

Grand Prize-Winning Announcement

Last September, during the celebration of LMC’s 15th Anniversary and the Grand Opening of the Lowell Milken Park, a notable moment emerged for 11th grader Gracie Conrad. A student at Loup County High School in Nebraska, Gracie was awarded the distinguished title of Grand Prize winner in the 2022 Discovery Award Competition.

Gracie’s thorough research led to her compelling piece, titled Betty Goudsmit-Oudkerk: Teenager, Resistance Member, Unsung Hero. This narrative sheds light on a lesser-known, but profoundly inspiring story. At just 18 years old, Betty Goudsmit-Oudkerk found herself intertwined with history’s somber events as she worked at the créche (Dutch for “daycare”) during the Holocaust. In a tragic twist, this once-innocent space became a part of the Jewish deportation apparatus.

Through genuine connections with the children, Goudsmit-Oudkerk was drawn into a group of workers tasked with a daring mission – the smuggling of over 600 children out of the créche. Her role in this act of courage and compassion remains largely uncelebrated.

Gracie Conrad’s recognition of Betty Goudsmit-Oudkerk brought a quiet act of heroism to the forefront. Betty’s unwavering dedication and the resilience of the human spirit shine as beacons of hope, even in the face of such dark times. Megan Helberg, a 2021 LMC Fellow from Nebraska, served as Gracie’s teacher and advisor throughout this project.

View the 2022 Grand Prize-Winning Project

Documentary: Betty Goudsmit-Oudkerk: Teenager, Resistance Member, Unsung Hero