Originally published by Pat Black-Gould on September 28, 2022
I’m back from my recent travels where I spent a wonderful day at Whitwell Middle School, home of the Paper Clip Project. I couldn’t wait to tell you about this events of the day, what I learned from my visit, and also how you can schedule your own visit.
During the morning, the students gave me a tour of The Children’s Holocaust Memorial. They did a great job.
I also had the opportunity to spend time with Taylor Kilgore, the Holocaust Education teacher at the school, Principal Josh Holtcamp, and former Principal Linda Hooper. Linda and her staff began the Holocaust program at the school 20 years ago.
In the afternoon, it was an honor to share my book, The Crystal Beads, Lalka’s Journey, with the students. For more information on The Crystal Beads, please access this report.
During my presentation at the school, a few kids from the Holocaust program ran the projector so the entire school could follow along as I read.
After the reading, the kids had so many thoughtful questions. I was so impressed with them.
The students in the picture below are part of the Holocaust program conducted at the school.
On the picture below (bottom left picture), two of the students are telling me about the 140 volumes of letters received from people around the world since the Paper Clip Project began twenty years ago.
There is also one binder containing mail from either Holocaust deniers or those writing negative letters criticizing the school for conducting such a program. Above the binders are artifacts sent by survivors and their families, synagogues, and schools worldwide.
On the picture bottom right, I’m autographing copies of my book and discussing why I chose to include The Paper Clip Project in the Afterword. After first visiting this school last year, how could I not share their incredible story?
(You can learn more about The Paper Clip Project here.)