IN Fox Chapel Area Summer 2019 | Page 25

SECONDARY HIGHLIGHTS DMS Holocaust Remembrance Days Students presented stuffed animals they collected to Holocaust survivor Shulamit Bastacky during an assembly in March. The teddy bears will be donated to Family House Shadyside. Dorseyville Middle School eighth-graders participated in their annual Holocaust Remembrance Days in March. The events were the culmination of the English language arts Holocaust unit and included an assembly with the theme of “Let Love Grow.” The events enable students to learn what children and adolescents would have experienced during that time. Additionally, Holocaust survivor Shulamit Bastacky, a “hidden child” during the Holocaust, also spoke to the students, and they collected teddy bears in her honor. This year, a member of the community shared the story of her parents and what they experienced living through the Holocaust as children. Holocaust Survivor Judah Samet was also a featured speaker. He is a member of the Tree of Life Synagogue in Squirrel Hill and missed the mass shooting tragedy on October 27, 2018, by minutes. Students also read Holocaust poetry, performed dramatic readings, and participated in seminars as part of the activities. High School Hosts Opportunities Fair The Fox Chapel Area High School counselors held their annual opportunities fair May 1. More than 100 vendors participated in the event that exposes students to a variety of available experiences. These opportunities range from employment and volunteer possibilities, to study abroad, summer camps, internships, gap year activities, military service, and a large variety of postsecondary educational choices. Student Government Holds Annual Senior Citizens Luncheon According to DMS English language arts teacher Scott Vensel, the Holocaust Remembrance Days are a way to “personalize history” for the students, while also teaching lessons about tolerance, acceptance, and the negative effects of prejudice. “It is one thing to read a book about the Holocaust, but it is a completely different experience to hear a personal account from a survivor,” he said. “Today’s students are the voices of the future and our hope is that they take this experience with them to better their communities.” The Fox Chapel Area High School Student Government Community Outreach Committee held its annual senior citizens luncheon April 6. Seniors enjoyed a free turkey dinner, and a high school chamber ensemble played during the luncheon. Dozens of seniors were served by the high school students, who gave of their free time on a sunny spring day to participate in the event. FOX CHAPEL AREA ❘ SUMMER 2019 23