Holocaust Survivor Challenges Students to do One Nice Thing for Someone Else

Bay View Academy eighth grader, Grace Farrow, of East Providence, recently took an assignment to research first hand accounts of Holocaust survivors one step further than the presentation requirement.

She asked a close family friend and Holocaust survivor, Ada Winsten, to come speak to her class.

According to Margaret Cummings, Lower and Middle School Associate Principal and Middle School teacher, the eighth grade English and History classes have been studying the Holocaust from a historical, literary and personal perspective.

“This curriculum,” Cummings said, “is presented as a way to engage the intellectual curiosity of students in order to inspire critical thought and personal growth, as stated within the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum website. Students were challenged to experience a first-hand account of a survivor’s experiences during the Holocaust.”

The eighth graders did this by researching and utilizing PowerPoint presentations, iMovies, timelines and fact sheets. Grace, however, brought in Mrs. Winsten, for a live presentation of a first-hand account.

On Wednesday, May 20th, Mrs. Winsten shared her personal story with Bay View’s eighth grade and used the opportunity to challenge the girls to speak up on other people’s behalf and to do at least one nice thing for someone else.

According to Mrs. Cummings, “this simple message spoke volumes to the overall message that by continuing to teach the Holocaust, we as a community are drawing attention to the dangers of remaining silent, apathetic, and indifferent to the oppression of others. Mrs. Winsten’s incredible life experiences inspired her to become a social worker so that she may live her life helping others in need. Students and faculty were honored to have met Mrs. Winsten and that she so openly shared her life story.”