News

Beyond The Textbook: A Personal Story That Opened Hearts & Minds

There are times in life when one is given a moment that will forever be ingrained in their hearts and minds. This past Thursday morning, students in Kristi Ugland's Senior Literature and Composition class received such a gift.

Students had recently finished reading the memoir Survival in Auschwitz by Holocaust Survivor Primo Levy, as an end to their non-fiction reading unit, when Ugland knew she wanted to add another piece to the lesson.

 "I wanted the students to make the connection between these stories that took place long ago and far away with a real person," said Ugland. "I thought it was important for students to see how a personal memoir still influences our world today.

 In 2018, Ugland participated in a teacher tour in Poland through Echos and Reflections, a program which offers professional development about Holocaust studies to American teachers. Ugland contacted her friend, and tour guide, Sheryl Silver Ochayon and invited her to speak to the class via Zoom. 

 Earning a JD from Harvard Law School and a BA in History with Highest Honors from the State University of New York at Binghamton, Sheryl Silver Ochayon left 25 years of lawyering to follow her heart. In 2005, she began working at Yad Vashem, Israel's official memorial to the victims of the Holocaust. Since 2015, Ochayon has worked as Yad Vashem's Program Director for the Echoes & Reflections program.

 During their class time together, Ochayon shared about the history of the Holocaust and a specific family's miraculous journey of survival. A family of 14 hid in the attic of a brave, Polish Christian farmer. The space was not tall enough for an adult to do more than sit, and yet, that is exactly what they all did for two years. After their Polish town was liberated by the Russians, they began their journey to the states. At the end of the emotional story, Ochayon revealed that in actuality it was the story of her mother, having gone into hiding at age six until the age of eight.

 Hearing such a story made a lasting impact on the students. Senior Tyler Fragola said, "Her story was intense especially when she shared it was about her mom. And because of that she devoted her life to studying the Holocaust." 

 Adam Kasian added that, "It brought about a different perspective to learn from outside of the memoir."

 The Senior Class was truly blessed with such an amazing experience that will surely last within their hearts.

Notes Of Appreciation For Our Veterans

Veterans Day is a day used to honor U.S. men and women who served in the armed forces. Hoping to be able to show their appreciation for all those who served, middle school students in Kara Karnes' Geography class took out their scissors and pens and set to work making thank you cards. 

Karnes said, "I want my students to understand they can make a difference in this world God has given us by doing simple things that can be a blessing to others and impact their lives and the world in a positive way. Veterans Day is a great way to do this because there are Veterans all around us who we may not even know about."

After completion, the cards made their way to Veterans here at PCA and ECBC, as well as the Fisher House and VA Hospital downtown. 

When asked what making these cards meant to him, seventh-grader Sullivan Huempfner said, "my great grandfather, my grandfather, and my father are all Veterans and it's history for our family. We know what it's like to serve our country."

Alyssa Carper added, "[it's important] to show the Veterans we are there for them and their service is very important."

PCA loves our Veterans and we are grateful for Mrs. Karnes and this project helping to bring PCA's foundational mission of love, honor, and obey into action.