By Matt de Simone
A group of English 10 Honors students from James River High School recently visited the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C. on March 13. The visit left a lasting impact on the students as they experienced the gravity of the Holocaust in an immersive and emotional way. Accompanied by their teacher, Lori Wingo, the English students were able to witness firsthand the tragedies of the Holocaust and reflect on its continuing relevance in today’s world.
The museum’s exhibits were particularly moving for the students. One student described a room filled with photographs of Holocaust victims that reached from floor to ceiling. The images were not just historical documents but personal family photos of people whose lives were tragically cut short by the Holocaust. The students could interact with the exhibit by using tablets to learn the stories behind the portraits, many of which were colorized, making the experience feel even more real.
“I think it really hit home for me because when you’re reading about something in a book, it doesn’t feel as real as when you’re standing there and seeing the faces of people who lived through these events,” student Brianna Patterson shared. “Seeing the faces of people who died in the Holocaust and learning about their lives– some of them were only children– was so moving.”
The museum’s immersive approach allowed the students to not only see evidence of the atrocities but also hear the voices of survivors. In certain exhibits, the students could listen to the survivors recount their experiences in audio or video recordings, bringing a human dimension to the historical facts.
“The recordings of survivors really brought everything to life,” said student Emily Griswold. “You could hear their voices, their pain, and their hope. It made the history we learned in class feel so much more real.”
For many students, the visit deepened their understanding of the Holocaust’s significance and its devastating effects on Jewish communities and other persecuted groups. One student noted that the museum didn’t just focus on the Jewish victims, but also highlighted other marginalized groups that were affected by Nazi persecution. It emphasized the widespread impact the Holocaust had on different populations.
“It showed everyone who was affected, even those we don’t always talk about in school,” Patterson said. “We saw how entire communities were devastated, and not just during the war, but also after it ended.”
The experience also made the students reflect on current global issues, drawing parallels between the Holocaust and modern-day atrocities. The emotional weight of the visit also had a profound effect on the group. “After we left the museum, it was so quiet,” student Molly McGee recalled. “No one was talking. It felt like we were all processing what we had seen and learned.”
The emotional and personal connection the students felt was echoed by their teacher, who noted the lasting impact the visit would have on them. “I’ve always believed that if we don’t learn from history, we’re doomed to repeat it,” Wingo shared. “That’s why I wanted to take them here, to help them connect with history in a way that no textbook can. It’s one of the most powerful field trips I’ve ever taken students on.”
Wingo shared her thanks for the Bank of Botetourt, the Buchanan/Fincastle community, and BCPS graduates whom she taught over the years, who helped to make this trip a reality through their generous donations.
The visit also served to reinforce the importance of teaching future generations about the Holocaust, ensuring that its horrors are never forgotten. “We need to keep talking about it,” said student Vivian Vernon. “It shouldn’t have happened, and we need to make sure that something like this never happens again.”
This sentiment was echoed by the group when discussing the responsibility society has to remember the Holocaust and educate future generations. “If we don’t learn about it, it could happen again,” said Patterson. “We need to keep telling people about it, because it was so bad and so wrong.”
The students’ reflections on the visit were further deepened by their previous studies, which included reading about Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a German Lutheran pastor who actively resisted the Nazi regime. Many students felt that learning about Bonhoeffer’s courage and martyrdom prepared them for the trip. The museum’s exhibits connected the history they studied with the real stories of resistance, such as Bonhoeffer’s attempts to stop Hitler.
In the aftermath of the visit, the students expressed their intention to revisit the museum in the future, hoping to bring their own children one day to ensure that the lessons learned from the Holocaust are passed on.
The students reflected back on the trip explaining it was life-changing to see and it was something they would not ever forget. As these students continue their education, the lessons learned from the Holocaust Memorial Museum will surely stay with them. The trip was not only an opportunity to reflect on the past, but also a reminder of the importance of standing up against hatred and injustice in the world today.
