AT THE UNITED STATES HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL MUSEUM
2016 TRIP

Pictured below are our students with the following dignitaries :

Arthur Berger - United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
Agi Geva - Holocaust Survivor- Auschwitz and Plasow
Lawrence J. Haas - Senior Fellow- American Foreign Policy Council
James Rosen- Investigative Reporter- Fox News
Yaron Gamburg - Embassy of the State of Israel
Patrick Davies - Deputy Ambassador - Embassy of Britain
Dr. Philipp Ackermann - Deputy Ambassador - Embassy of Germany
Ira Forman- Special Envoy- the United States State Department
Congresswoman Ileana Ros Lehtinen
Senator Marco Rubio

 JAKE TAWRGOSKI I was so excited to visit Washington DC.  It was everything you told us about and more.  Holocaust survivor Agi Geva had one of the saddest stories I ever heard.  It was amazing to meet her in person and listen to her story of the Nazi Death Camps.  I am so grateful I didn't grow up during the Holocaust. I will never forget the hate and will be sure to do what is right. I will share everything with my classmates at school. I really thought going to Fox News and meeting James Rosen was awesome.  He is really smart and funny. He even autographed his book to me.  I cannot believe we were able to visit the embassies of Israel, Britain and Germany.  One of the best things we did was meet Senator Marco Rubio of Florida in his office. I was able to tell him about my video of Holocaust survivor Eva Galler. Each of my new friends told him about their projects as well and he really listened to us. The dinners were awesome, especially the Hard Rock Cafe. I told my dad I wish we were still in Washington DC with my new friends. Thank you Mr. and Mrs. Weiner for planning an unforgettable trip. I will always remember it.

DAILEY JACKSON I would like to express how thankful I am for this experience. Thank you for allowing all these great kids and parents to see what happens from hate. The work that you and your wife are doing is truly amazing. This trip has not only boosted my self-confidence with my art, but it also allowed me to meet more people who are similar to me. I look forward to telling everyone what the Holocaust was REALLY like, how it affected humanity, and what we can do to make sure this never         happens again. Quite honestly, when I heard about the trip I assumed it was going to be another one of those field trips we have in school. I thought I was just going to learn about     the basic events of the Holocaust and meet a few people along the way. But, right when I walked in the doors of the Holocaust Museum, I knew this journey was going to be special. Walking through the museum and learning in depth about the events was wonderful, but when I sat down to hear Agi Geva’s testimony, I was just stunned. It really clicked in my mind that millions of people had to live, and die through this time. It struck me how little our problems are nowadays. Because of her story, I can put my life into perspective, and I just won’t complain or worry about the little things. On top of that, Lawrence Haas and James Rosen taught me the results of hard work. No matter how hard the battle is, or how much pain you have to go through, you can succeed. It made me think of the struggle that the people of the Holocaust had to go through. And then how the world finally fought against this terrible event. The next day, when we visited the embassies, my viewpoint was shifted from just America, to the entire world. Hearing about how Israel, Britain, Germany, and the rest of the world deals with cruelty really shows how big an issue hate and intolerance is. Hearing from the representatives of these countries it showed me that in in tense times of need, the world can still band together for a common cause in the same way that a diverse group of people can work together, no matter how different they are. Finally, on the last day I got to see the reality of the world today. I was able to speak to high government officials about a serious issue that concern everyone. I had a voice against hate. It showed me that even if intolerance and cruelty still continues today, we aren't helpless against it. We can fight it.  And now, just as Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Senator Marco Rubio served as someone I could talk to, I now want to serve as someone that others can tell their feelings to, so that I can take action.Thank you again for this life changing experience. The trip has changed me more than I will ever realize. I hope that this program will be able to continue for many decades to come.

SUSANA OBANDO This contest clearly transcends beyond the heinous crimes of the  Holocaust. It is actually a valuable  effort that Craig and Barbara Weiner, along with Nova  Southeastern University, have created  to combat anti-semitism and racism. During our g  group trip to Washington D.C., I had the  privilege to confer with people in Congress, in the  Senate, foreign ambassadors, astute and  prolific reporters,  missionaries who dedicate their  lives to better serve our country, and  even a Holocaust survivor of Auschwitz. Amongst  many of the things we discussed, we were  totally  united as a group to create awareness of  the importance of combatting anti-semitism  and racism starting with intimations by high  ranking politicians in Washington D.C. My life  course has forever been changed because of  this experience, and I do hope that all students participate in this state-wide competition,  not only for the prospect of winning, but because the Holocaust DID happen, and remembering it DOES matter. 

ELIO REYES  The trip to Washington was Amazing! I learned so much about the events of the Holocaust and about myself. The feeling of sadness I felt as we walked through the Holocaust museum - I could almost feel the pain of the people that this happened to, and can't imagine how this could have ever happened. Our trip also came at a time when we still today see so much hate and prejudice such as what happened in the recent Orlando massacre. Hate crimes and racism in our world seem to be reaching a high point once again. I ask myself "What is this world coming too?" The question to ask ourselves is : ”Do we want to be a part of a world with so much hate and so much senseless death, or should we instead strive to be people that can help make things better by standing up for what you believe in "Respect for human kind".
 
The trip, in my opinion, was the trip of a lifetime for me, especially being Hispanic and experiencing the impact of racism first hand when coming from a small town where I attend Mulberry High. Opportunities like this don’t happen to students in our community.  I'm glad that my teacher Ms. Brinton was made aware of this program. After being with the other winners for 4 days, I really hope that we stay in touch because I made some great new friends. Winning this contest has been one of the best things that’s ever happened to me; but I now know that it's not about winning the contest or even the trip - it's about the lessons to be learned from the trip from everyone we met and what I can do to take these lessons and use them to make a positive change in our World. I want to once again Thank! Mr. and Mrs. Weiner and the committee for giving me this life changing opportunity. It's truly one that I will never forget. 










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