EP 10th grader Sasha Allen wins documentary grand prize

Eden Prairie High School sophomore Sasha Allen recently was awarded the grand prize in the Lowell Milken Center (LMC) for Unsung Heroes’ 2021 Discovery Award competition.

Sasha used primary and secondary research to create the documentary “Walking in the Land of Death: How Gareth Jones Gave Voice to the Victims of the Holodomor.”

The 12-minute documentary, narrated by Sasha, tells the story of Jones, a Welsh journalist who risked his life to chronicle Joseph Stalin’s decimation of Ukrainian agriculture that resulted in a brutal famine known as the Holodomor. Holodomor is a Ukrainian word meaning “murder by hunger.”

In a tragic irony, some of Jones’ fellow journalists were on the dole from Stalin and betrayed him.

“Sasha Allen’s scholarship and insights have produced a compelling documentary on Unsung Hero Gareth Jones’ unique and inspirational bravery,” according to LMC Executive Director Norm Conard. “With its relevance for our own times, we look forward to sharing his story in an exhibit for our Hall of Unsung Heroes.”

Sasha was awarded $6,000 for her efforts.

You can see the complete documentary video on YouTube.

Sasha and her brother, Nico, each won awards this past spring at the 2021 National History Day Contest. Read EPLN’s story here.

Fort Scott, Kansas-based LMC annually challenges students in grades 4-12 to conduct rigorous research to uncover unsung heroes in history whose accomplishments remain largely unknown to the public. Cash prizes can be spent at students’ discretion.