Friday, March 30, 2012

Another Student Reflects on Student Leadership Day



On Thursday, March 22nd, I was chosen to go on the student leadership field trip at the Illinois Holocaust Museum. At the museum, I made many friends and I learned a lot of things that would help transform the future! This day was meant for young students that will be leaders when they grow up to transform the future and change the world to make it a better place to be and live. This day was a very inspirational day for me, as I learned about the past of many survivors and their stories. This day was very emotional for me because I realized how different my life is compared to how the lives of these people were. I feel as if many people take their lives for granted, when all of us are very lucky to live in the conditions that we live in today. We live in a safe environment; have access to good education, clean water and food to drink, and most importantly, a roof over our heads and a place that we can call home. Many of these survivors of the Holocaust and other wars did not have access to these things that we have today. The rights of these people were taken away, and they did not know when they would be able to have electricity or water.  Most importantly, though, they did not have a place to call home or family and friends to see every day. These survivors worried each and every day if they would be able to see their families after they came home from work, and they wondered if this would end. No one should ever have to live a life with just wonders. No one should have to live with anxiety of what will happen next; it just isn't fair.

This day has great value to my life so far. This day has really impacted me so much. It has brought me an even clearer view as to what people have to live through and do in order to survive. Up until now, I have known a decent amount as to what is going on in the world, but this day clearly showed me how little I truly knew. After spending time with the survivors and learning their stories, this day had become very emotional to me. Questions pop into my head all the time. Why does this happen? How can people be so cruel? What is wrong with the world? This world that people have come into is not only about love, but there is also a lot of hatred in the world that needs to stop. From hearing these stories I know that something needed to be stopped. The stuff that these survivors have gone through should not have to happen to anyone ever again. This day made me realize that these survivors would do anything to be and live the way that I do today.

The world can change.  All of us together need to change. War, genocide and bullying really are NOT the answer. The past needs to be learned so that the future can be transformed. These kinds of genocides, war, bullying and mass murders need to end! This world was certainly not made for people to come into and kill each other off. If people would just stop bullying each other, this might be the thing that will transform the future. Genocides, wars and mass murders really do begin with bullying. If bullying didn't exist, hatred wouldn't rise and reach to the maximum point of genocide.

This day has a high value of importance in my life, and it was definitely an inspirational day. People need to be taught what happened in the past, and we need to be able to transform the future. We should never forget what happened. I want to help and change the future; I won't be a bystander! I will not stand by and let things like war and genocide happen around the world! Everybody needs to learn to be an upstander! Genocides and bullying can be stopped if people speak out! EVERYONE'S VOICE SHOULD BE HEARD. THE DECISION IS YOURS! WILL YOU BE A BYSTANDER AND WATCH THINGS GET WORSE? OR DO YOU WANT TO HELP? BE AN UPSTANDER AND REALLY TRANSFORM THE FUTURE, IT'S YOUR LIFE.

Trisha

Student Reactions to the IHMEC's Student Leadership Day

My experience going to Student Leadership Day at the Illinois Holocaust Museum was amazing and definitely a day that I will always remember! I learned a lot about myself, my peers, bullying, the Holocaust and genocide in general by walking around the museum exhibits and participating in the various activities. I enjoyed hearing the eyewitness survivors’ stories. They were very interesting, sad and inspiring. I enjoyed meeting Nadja Halilbegovich and hearing her story when she was just about my age during the war in Bosnia. I realized how lucky I am to live in America. I thought it was amazing that she had so much courage to go through the tunnels, just to have a better life in America. I am really looking forward to reading her book, My Childhood Under Fire, in order to learn more about her "three lives". The day taught me a lot, it enlightened my life, and I am excited to share everything that I learned with my peers and teachers at McCracken!!!


Nora

Congresswoman Jan Schakowksy Comes for Another Visit!

On April 30, 2012, Congresswoman Jan Schakowksy will be coming back to visit McCracken.  She will be meeting with the A.C.T. kids to discuss what we've been up to this year to raise awareness and money for A Better Life for Kids.  We look forward to sharing all of our accomplishments with her!

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Inspiring Day at the Illinois Holocaust Museum

Today, seven students involved in A.C.T. and other leadership opportunities had the chance to visit the Illinois Holocaust Museum for their Student Leadership Day.  This was an amazing day with so many inspirational moments.  The day began with a discussion of identity and universe of obligation.  Students talked about who was in their universe.  One student talked about how we are all one big community, and therefore we are all obligated to one another.

Following that discussion, students and teachers had a chance to explore the museum keeping in mind the theme of the day, "Learning from the Past; Transform the Future".  Though many of us had been there before, there were new exhibits and artifacts to discover and rediscover.

At lunch, each table had the chance to meet with a survivor of the Holocaust, hear their story, and ask as many questions as we wanted.  Some were survivors of the camps, some survived through hiding, while others passed themselves as Christians.  Each of us realized how lucky we were to have this experience, as this will be the last generation to have the chance to speak to a survivor.  One of the survivors was Ruth Gilbert.  Her message was that each student should be an upstander for those that do not have a voice.  She said that "the way violence and injustice continues is for good men to do nothing."

Jennifer Ciok and Ruth Gilbert

After the survivors spoke, we then had the chance to hear Nadja Halibegovich speak.  Her story was an amazing story of courage and hope during a very dark time in Sarajevo in the 1990s.  She talked about her childhood during war, and how children are the most innocent victims of war.  Nadja talked about helping to give the children of Bosnia a voice during that time through a radio show, singing, and her own published diary.  The amazing part was that she accomplished all of this at the age of 12!  Her message concluded with the idea that "no war is worth a tear of a child," and that war was and continues to be a senseless act.  She charged the students to be upstanders for what they believe in and to "remember your dreams, and keep walking", as her mother told her on their long walk through a tunnel to escape.  As Nadja said, the opposite of war is peace, and each of us has the obligation to work towards that peace.

"Remember your dreams, and keep walking"

A.C.T. students with Nadja


Once Nadja finished her talk, the many schools there were charged with coming up with an action plan to bring back to the school.  The students pictured above came up with great ideas that will be put into action in the coming weeks.  I'm so lucky to work with such wonderful students, and I do believe that together we can make a better life for all kids around the world.

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Ms. Nizynski is recognized in the Skokie Review!

In the Skokie Review this week, in conjunction with covering the Illinois Holocaust Museum's Humanitarian Awards, Mr. Mike Isaacs covered Ms. Nizynski's mission in Ghana and how to help A Better Life for Kids.  Congratulations to Ms. Nizynski on this recognition.  We hope that it helps people to realize what wonderful work you do!

Holocaust Museum honors Skokie teacher’s work in Ghana - Skokie Review

A Better Life for Kids:  How you can help

A glimpse of Ghana and it's people

Deborah Ellis' Visit

Thanks to Ms. Gammeri, the Skokie Public Library and the Coming Together in Skokie program, author and activist Deborah Ellis came to have lunch with the A.C.T. kids on March 8, 2012.  After a powerpoint showing our activities for the year and a presentation of A.C.T. gifts, students had the chance to ask questions of the author relating to her books, experiences and activism.  Ellis talked about the power of choice, and how the choices we make have a rippling effect on others.  She also talked about war, and how hard it is to not know what's going to happen next for the children she interviewed.  Students were challenged to think about their own lives and how they can continue to help make a difference.  Everyone took something away from the discussion.

Here are some pictures from the day:

  Ellis @ McCracken-3214

Ellis @ McCracken-3244


Ellis @ McCracken-3216

Ellis @ McCracken-3245

Thanks to all the students who participated!  It was a great discussion, and everyone was impressed by your preparation!

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

2012 Humanitarian Awards

On March 6, 2012, the Illinois Holocaust Museum recognized Ms. Nizysnki with their inaugural Power of One Award.  It was an amazing night capped with a speech given by former Secretary of Defense Robert Gates.  We are so proud of Ms. Nizynski and all of her work, and we thank the Illinois Holocaust Museum for recognizing her accomplishments in Ghana.








Pictures from Leap for Ghana

Selling A.C.T. items!

Thanks to Sarah for a great t-shirt design!
 Choirs getting ready!


 The drummers!
 Great performances all night!  Thanks to Ms. Lawless and the 8th grade choirs!

 Ms. Blades, Ms. Lawless, Ms. Nizynski, and Ms. Ciok
Over $1600 raised in one night!  What a wonderful testament to Ms. Nizynski's mission and the support of our community!

Monday, March 5, 2012

Coverage of Leap for Ghana

Thanks again to Mike Isaacs for his coverage of the the Leap for Ghana concert!  The articles are wonderful, and definitely continue to get our message out! 

The first article covers the wonderful work done at the concert:

http://skokie.suntimes.com/news/10985114-418/students-sing-to-help-children-in-ghana.html

The second covers Ms. Nizynski's award:

http://skokie.suntimes.com/news/10985131-418/holocaust-museum-honors-skokie-teacher.html

Tomorrow night is the Humanitarian Awards dinner where Ms. Nizynski will be interviewed and receive her award.  Pictures to follow!

Thursday, March 1, 2012

Leap for Ghana!

Leap for Ghana was a huge success last night!  Thank you to all the students, staff, and parents of the community for coming out for this event!  We raised over $1500 last night while listening to great music from our choirs!  Pictures will be posted soon!