St. Anne School Eighth Grade students attended the 11th Annual Holocaust Art and Writing Contest on Friday, March 5. Chapman University and the “1939” Club, one of the largest and most active Holocaust survivor organizations in the United States, proudly hosted the contest and awards ceremony.
In prose, poetry and the visual arts, St. Anne students demonstrated a profound respect and sensitivity to their interpretations of the theme: Memory & Meaning. Lindsey Valentine, of Dana Point, took first place with her poem, Worn Threads. Megan Lo, of Laguna Niguel, was a finalist with her artwork, entitled Through Her Eyes.
Not only did two 8th grade students win awards for their entries, St. Anne alumni won honors as well. Porter Hahn, a sophomore at JSerra Catholic High School in San Juan Capistrano, took First Place in the Poetry division for his poem entitled 69-9-27. Case Takata, a sophomore at the Orange County High School of the Arts in Santa Ana, took first place in the essay division with his work entitled Intertwined.
Lindsey, Porter, and Case were awarded an all-expenses paid trip with their English teachers and a parent to Washington D.C. in June. They will also receive VIP seats to a session of Congress, among many other special activities.
Take some time to read Lindsay’s poignant poem and view Megan’s artwork and it will become very apparent how this tremendous part of the St. Anne curriculum has impacted our students, and will continue to touch their lives in the years to come.
Congratulations to all our student winners! We are so proud of your accomplishments.
Worn Threads
First Place Poetry Division
Lindsey Valentine, Eighth Grade
Survivor Testimony: Barbara Gerson
Last memories, fade the fastest
Gone forever, only the scarf left.
Connected to your family by a piece of cloth.
Good memories and happiness woven into each thread.
Wandering along trying to find the way.
Walk on the streets, violent sights.
A yellow star sets you apart from the others.
Hatred and dirty stares, too much to bear.
The world you knew is gone forever.
One-by-one, the worn threads unravel.
Forced to live where you were told.
Enclosed and confined like animals.
Laborious tasks too traumatizing for words.
As your heart starts to tear, so does your scarf.
Day-by-day, waiting for someone to see the truth.
Living scarcely and barely getting by.
Death and abuse wherever you turn.
You hold on tight for there is no turning back.
One-by-one, the worn threads unravel.
Hope and Courage gets you through
Grasping tightly to the scarf and old memories.
Go and hide, the only chance you’ll get
Hear the footsteps, death approaching.
Feel your pulse racing faster and faster.
Surprise and relief rushes through your body.
Freedom rings in your ears.
Liberation has come, no longer a victim.
Now you must pick up the scraps of the scarf you once had.
Intertwine the new and old; persevere
One-by-one, the worn threads are slowly coming together.
Lindsey Valentine and Barbara Gerson.
Megan Lo
Artist’s Statement
Survivor Testimony: Elisabeth Mann
Through Her Eyes
“My drawing, Through Her Eyes, is inspired by Holocaust survivor Elisabeth Mann. The Star of David in the pupil of the eye symbolizes Elisabeth’s religion and proud heritage. The tear in red represents her struggle to survive and the loss of her entire family. Not only is Elisabeth Mann a survivor, but she is also a talented artist who paints scenes from Auschwitz despite the pain it causes her. Through the eye of Elisabeth’s memory she teaches a lesson: never forget.”
Elisabeth Mann and Megan Lo.
