The Danube Swabian Foundation of the U.S.A., Inc.
Die Donauschwaebische Stiftung der USA, Inc.
The Oma Abt Youth Heritage Award
The award was created in memory of Maria Abt by her granddaughter Katy Abt in 2014 and is sponsored by the Abt Family and the Danube Swabian Foundation.
Every year there is a new topic and any active member of any Danube Swabian Youth group in the USA and Canada is welcome to participate. Essays should be less than 500 words, in English or German.
This year’s topic (2022):
What is one idea or tradition of the Donauschwaben that you are going to pass down to future generations?
Entries must be received by August 15 – send to: [email protected]
Winners will be announced at the Landesverbandtreffen on Labor day.
- 3 prizes are offered:
- 1st place – $ 500.00
- 2nd prize – $ 300.00
- 3rd prize – $ 200.00
Maria Abt, nee Hoffmann, was born in Keschinci, Croatia. She was a surviver of the Ethnic German Genocide in the former Jugoslavia. She married Johann (Hans) Abt in Lager Haid in Austria. They immigrated to the USA in 1955, settled in Milwaukee and raised six children. They were both active with the Milwaukee Donauschwaben, the Landesverband and the Danube Swabian Foundation of the USA. Maria was one of the original members of the Danube Swabian family in the United States of America. She was the friendliest helper when needed. She first led the Youth group and then the Frauengruppe for many, many years. She organized the Danube Swabian cultural exhibits at the Holiday Folk Fair and the Germanfest in Milwaukee. Maria was also the Landesverbandfrauengruppeleiterin.