MISHAWAKA, Ind. -- The Mishawaka–Penn–Harris Public Library announced starting Wednesday they will launch the public exhibition, "The People Next Door," a Holocaust-themed art and creative writing contest for local high school students aimed at honoring the experiences of local survivors.

Organizers say the creative works of 71 Michiana students will be on display.

The exhibition starts at 5 p.m. Wednesday, with an awards reception and gallery opening.

Organizers say 22 entries will be recognized at the awards reception, with honorees receiving cash prizes ranging from $50 to $300.

After the awards reception, all are invited to preview the exhibition, which will be open to the public from April 24-30 during regular library hours.

Organizers say the contest, last held in 2023 and organized biennially since 2001 by the Kurt and Tessye Simon Fund for Holocaust Remembrance, shares its name with a locally produced documentary.

“The People Next Door” documentary recounts the personal experiences of Jews who survived Nazi aggressions and relocated to Michiana.

“It really was not very long ago,” John Adams High School teacher Elizabeth Drake said. “Any time you can give a local face to history and help students see that there are still people in our community who experienced these things, that’s really powerful."

Drake says she's included the topic in her English class for several years.

A complete list of contest winners will be available after Wednesday on "The People Next Door" website.

Mishawaka-Penn-Harris Public Library is located at 209 Lincolnway East in Mishawaka.