The sophomores are the first class to visit the Holocaust museum on an official field trip. After reading “The Book Thief” over the summer for pre-AP English 2, the sophomore class gained the opportunity to experience and learn about the Holocaust on Oct. 7. The sophomore class, accompanied by teachers, traveled to the Jewish Community Center and spent the morning and afternoon there before returning to school.
“I really hope this is the beginning of a tradition,” said world history teacher Annie Calonico, who attended the trip.
The field trip included a presentation by one of two Holocaust survivors at the JCC, who shared their firsthand experiences of the Jewish ghetto, concentration camps, and life after the war. Students also visiting the JCC’s Holocaust museum. Many sophomores agreed that the session with the survivors was their favorite part of the field trip.
“It’s nice to see that the book we read ties into a real, historical event, and it was helpful to have a firsthand account,” sophomore Jaye Surles said.
Many of the sophomore teachers from the social studies and English departments that chaperoned believe the field trip was beneficial in helping students see the event in a more personal way.
“It’s really important for us to give kids the opportunity to talk to someone who’s actually been through the Holocaust,” Calonico said. “That way they have a better understanding of what actually happened.”
Overall, most of the participants of the field trip agreed that the experience helped bring the event into perspective. Students found that through everything that they had experienced, both Holocaust survivors were extremely motivating when it came to their outlook of life now.
“Don’t be a bystander, believe in yourself, and be strong,” said 88-year-old Holocaust survivor Rose Williams.