Schools
History comes to life for UCS students
Eighth graders experience The Children of Willesden Lane
History came to life in words and music recently for Utica Community Schools eighth-graders.
More than 2,400 UCS eighth-graders attended a special performance on October 12 of The Children of Willesden Lane, the story of Lisa Jura’s escape from Nazi-controlled Austria to England.
The play was performed by Jura’s daughter, Mona Golabek, an international concert pianist who co-authored the book The Children of Willesden Lane.
The performance included both a narrative presentation and a piano concert by Golabek, who has performed across the country.
“This powerful experience reinforced an important message for our students about following your dreams and passions,” superintendent Dr. Christine Johns said. “The performance was made even more meaningful as Lisa Jura was a refugee, an important connection for some of the students attending the performance.”
This opportunity for UCS eighth-grade students was made possible by a grant from Hold On To Your Music Foundation. The grant funded the cost of the performance, professional development activities for UCS teachers and copies of the book for each student.
Following the performance, Golabek explained to students the lesson her mother shared with her children about the power of music.
“If you have something to hold onto, you can make it, even through tough times,” she said.
