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Two Students Become Ambassadors for U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum

Seniors Evelyn Waddick and Lucia Rathke became ambassadors of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum (USHMM) through its Bringing the Lessons Home program for high school students. As graduates of the program, Evelyn and Lucia can serve as tour guides of the museum and share Holocaust history with others.

Evelyn had been searching for a way to take advantage of her proximity to the nation's capital after learning Camilla Johnson '20 completed a research program with the Folger Theater. Since honors European history in sophomore year, Evelyn had taken an interest in history; she knew juniors visited the museum. The day of her class' trip was the day the application to the Bringing the Lessons Home program was due.

"My class trip, as well as everything we learned about Catholic social teaching (CST) in religion, really convinced me that I would find value in spending my Saturdays at the museum," Evelyn said. She credits the culture at Visitation that encourages students to take advantage of outside opportunities and its focus on seeking out lifelong learning opportunities with her application to the USHMM program.

Lucia was first introduced to the program during Letters to Sala, the 2018 fall play, which focused on a Holocaust survivor. Representatives from the museum presented to the cast and crew, of which Lucia was a part, to provide historical perspective. Having lived in Berlin during her childhood, Lucia understood the importance of the Holocaust history. "Germany has been very rigorous about making sure everyone, including children, understands Holocaust history, so despite being very young I picked up on that," she said.

As an Austrian citizen, Lucia also felt she has a "duty to amplify this history and make sure it is not ignored, trivialized, or misrepresented."

Lucia visited the museum with cast and crew members on opening night of Letters to Sala and then again in January 2019 with her classmates. "Visiting the museum was especially meaningful to me because I was very inspired by my character in the play (Ala Gertner)--who led a revolt at Auschwitz that successfully blew up a crematorium, although she was hanged for it--and it was very moving to see a panel about her at the museum and feel more connected to her," she said. "That additional personal connection inspired me to dedicate myself to the museum and its purpose."

Evelyn saw much of the lessons of CST in her Saturday classes at USHMM, particularly around "life and dignity of the human person," she said. "Becoming an ambassador for the museum means that not only have I been trained to give tours of the museum's permanent exhibition, but also that I have been given the tools to understand hatred from a secular stance, and I understand that as a society we need to advocate for justice and peace in all circumstances."

The program encouraged Lucia to consider her connection with others. "Working at the museum empowered me to think more critically about myself, my own accountability or complicity in other injustices, and to realize that I do have the potential to do good and make change," she said. "I think the most important message of the museum is this idea of responsibility, agency and doing what is right even when it is not expected or normalized."

Lucia went on to apply to the Stephen Tyrone Johns Summer Youth Leadership Program, an internship program with the museum. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, the program took place virtually, but it did not take away from its impact. 

"I was so honored to have the opportunity not only to meet many Holocaust survivors, but also work on an individual level with one survivor in particular, Dora Klayman," said Lucia. She interviewed Klayman about her story. Normally these interviews take place in person, but despite its virtual setting, Lucia bonded with Klayman.

"It was so empowering and inspiring to hear both her story related to the Holocaust, but also about her strengths and passions as a person removed from that. We were able to bond over our mutual loves of languages, history, and music, and I felt so honored to connect with such an incredible, kind person," said Lucia. "I was so touched when, as I presented her with my project, she teared up and thanked me for creating something true to her and her experiences; I felt so proud to do her story justice."

The USHMM re-opened to limited visitors in October. Evelyn added that she is happy to give any member of the Visitation community a guided tour anytime: "All [you] have to do is ask."

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