Holocaust survivor Marion Blumenthal-Lazan will recall the devastating years that shaped her childhood with area school children on Tuesday, Nov. 8 at 10 a.m. at the West Virginia University Erickson Alumni Center.

Presented by the College of Human Resources and Education Center for Democracy and Citizenship Education, Blumenthal-Lazan’s discussion of her memoir, Four Perfect Pebbles: A Holocaust Story, is the keynote of curriculum for fifth through eighth grade students in northern West Virginia.

While the Nov. 8 event is for the participating students and teachers only, the general public is invited to attend a discussion with Blumenthal-Lazan on Monday, Nov. 7 at 5 p.m. at the Erickson Alumni Center.

“Part of the mission of the Center for Democracy and Citizenship Education is to draw connections between the work of WVU as a land-grant university and the state of West Virginia as a whole,” said Carolyn Brejwo, graduate research assistant for the Center.

Area students represent Aurora Elementary, North Elementary, Bruceton Elementary-Middle, Long Drain Elementary-Middle, Reedsville Elementary-Middle and Taylor County Middle schools.

In addition to literature, the curriculum features essay contests. Writers of the top 10 essays will receive autographed hardcover books at the event.
“It is vital for teachers and students as well as citizens to encourage civic participation,” Brejwo said.

“All events are designed to bring information to people’s minds and convict them to be involved in their community. The public forum will focus on the importance of educating youth about the Holocaust and the critical mission for literary and social studies teachers,” Brejwo said. “We hope for them to think of WVU as their university, a place that helps them prepare future citizens.”

-WVU-

ks/11/2/11

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CONTACT: Christie Zachary, Human Resources and Education
304-293-5703, christie.zachary@mail.wvu.edu