Introduction

I am Alisa Raniuk and currently a senior at Westborough High School. In the fall, I will be attending Wheelock College for early childhood education and communications. I love doing things outdoors, especially on/in the ocean, and really anything else as long as it’s fun. While taking this course, I realized how grateful I am for the opportunities that I have today. I originally took this course because I heard it was amazing, inspirational, and a good class to take as a senior. Then, my outlook on life changed. I’ve always respected and honored my family and background, but seeing and hearing Polish people talk about the terrible experience of the holocaust that they survived, I felt like I was connected. My background is Polish and Ukrainian and my grandparents have survived all of this. Four years ago, when my sister was a senior in high school, she had my grandmother come in to her Facing History class and talk about her experiences in Ukraine. My grandmother tends to bring these stories up at the wrong times, like Christmas or Thanksgiving, and my dad and uncle would sort of blow her off in a way and tell her to stop because no one wants to hear sad stories during a happy holiday. I feel extremely guilty now. I know she’s getting old and all that she’s trying to do is pass her stories down from generation to generation. After taking this course, I want to hear more of her stories, because sooner or later it will be too late. This course doesn’t only teach you about how terrible the holocaust was, but it makes you figure out who you really are. You will have a deeper understanding of yourself for which you will be grateful for. When watching the terribly sad movies, it made me admire those who have survived and watching the people getting bulldozed made me feel like my family was being mistreated in the maximum possible way. This course isn’t about Hitler, which I thought it would be more about, but the tragedy that no one should ever forget that occurred in Europe and learning more about who you are through civic agency.