CONCORD — Eighth graders at Concord Middle School recently presented a “Walking Museum” exhibit showcasing projects focused on the resilience of individuals who lived through the Holocaust.
According to Superintendent Dr. Laurie Hunter, the exhibit was the culminating project for a two-month Holocaust unit led by English language arts teachers Jen Coty, Sarah Oelkers and Jancie Gullotti.
Students were tasked with creating original projects that connected historical research with personal reflection.
“Each display highlighted stories of people who endured profound hardship but continued to show courage and dignity,” Dr. Hunter said in a statement.
During the exhibit, students stood alongside their projects as classmates circulated through the space, reading displays, asking questions and leaving written feedback. One student wrote that a classmate’s project strengthened their understanding of resilience “because it is a powerful demonstration of how people were able to bear witness to the events in the Holocaust even if reliving their trauma was painful. These stories and testimonies are important for people to acknowledge and learn from.”
Principal Justin Cameron said the walking museum allowed students to engage with difficult aspects of human history.
“The Walking Museum gave students an opportunity to share what they have learned while hearing different perspectives from their classmates,” Principal Cameron said. “Projects like this encourage students to think carefully about the past and the responsibility we all share to treat others with dignity and respect.”
Superintendent Hunter said the assignment encouraged students to thoughtfully examine the historical impact of the Holocaust and its relevance today.
“This project asked students to engage with difficult history in a thoughtful way,” Dr. Hunter said. “By researching these stories and sharing them with their classmates, students learned why it is so important to remember the lessons of The Holocaust and carry them forward.”