Whiz Kids: Hazelwood West Middle School Students Recognized by the St. Louis Holocaust Museum

Congratulations are in order to 17 students in the that earned recognition for a communal art project submitted to the St. Louis Holocaust Museum and Learning Center.

The students entered their project as part of the museum’s Ninth Annual Art and Writing Contest. The museum received more than 600 entries from area middle, high schooled and home schooled students.

The theme of the submitted project is a take on, “I Never Saw Another Butterfly.” The art represents “the spirit of children who lived in the Terezin Ghetto and left their artistic legacy to inspire us. Like the butterfly, they fly with freedom and beauty through our memory,” said Elaine Eversgerd, the student's art teacher.

Hazelwood West Middle School students performed a version of “Butterfly” in late May. The play chronicles the children of Theresienstadt, or Terezin, a Nazi holding area for deported Jewish people, and celebrated their lives and their work. Terezin contained many artists, musicians and writers who formed classes and ensembles to help the residents maintain their talents and hopes.

• Whiz Kids: Emily Alberts, Nicole Clintsman, Kyle Comparato, Allison Crawford, Amber Davis, Alexis Doll, Andrea Gann, Rose Goldschmidt, Connor Jones, Abie Lofstrom, Brandon Moore, Jessica Napolitano, Cody Peth, Chris Roberson, Laura Rousseau, Annie Russell and Hope Walden

• Grade: sixth grade to eighth grade

• School: