Holocaust Survivor Speaks at GMS: Staff and Students Get Experience of a Lifetime

Thank you to Paula Weissman and her friend, Kelvin Dilks, for bringing Paula's story of survival, life, kindness, and love to our students. Even at 96 years old, Paula's story of surviving the Holocaust still connected with our middle school students who have been so inspired by her. Ahead of her visit, some students had already started reading about her and wrote letters which they were able to present to her. Since the visit, classrooms and hallways at GMS are abuzz with talk about Paula and a desire to learn more about the Holocaust.

As Paula said, "we should not dwell on the past, but you'd better remember it so it doesn't happen again." We are honored to have this experience for our students so that they can always remember her message and take kindness with them wherever they go in life. Her words also reminded us all that we can get through hard things and build a beautiful life for ourselves. Paula closed her talk sharing that she is "so grateful to be alive" and we are so grateful that all of our lives were touched by her.

Paula's friend, Kelvin, who is a retired public school teacher and now President of the Board of Trustees in Birdville ISD, had this to say about GMS: "Every child listened intently. Paula and I were so impressed with the school, administration, faculty and students. It was a wonderful hour of sharing and learning. . . Paula is making a difference, a few hundred children at a time."