Holocaust Survivor Marion Blumenthal Lazan Returns to Riverhead Middle School
Students Engage With Powerful First-Hand Account to Enrich Their Education and Character
RIVERHEAD, NEW YORK (MARCH 2025)—Riverhead Middle School recently welcomed back Holocaust survivor and lauded author Marion Blumenthal Lazan to share her story of strength, perseverance, and bravery. Ms. Blumenthal Lazan previously visited the school in 2024 as part of the district’s mission to foster accepting, safe, and respectful learning environments that shape compassionate leaders of tomorrow. Students—as well as administrators, faculty, and staff—listened attentively as Ms. Blumenthal Lazan discussed her experiences at the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp and with antisemitism and bigotry.
“At the Riverhead Central School District, we believe it is crucial to learn from history and engage with first-hand accounts, when possible,” said Riverhead Central School District Interim Superintendent Cheryl Pedisich. “We express our deepest gratitude to Ms. Blumenthal Lazan for sharing her powerful story and message with our students, administrators, faculty, and staff as we work to ensure this tragic period in world history is never forgotten. We also commend the remarkable work she does worldwide to spread Holocaust awareness and education.”
During the assembly, Marion Blumenthal Lazan went through her journey and explained the horrific harm caused by hateful rhetoric, symbols, and ideas. Her story truly moved those present, and she encouraged all in attendance to act with empathy and share her story—and those of all other Holocaust survivors they have heard—with their families, friends, schools, and communities. Students asked thoughtful questions answered by Ms. Blumenthal Lazan, additionally enriching their learning experience. Following the assembly, students also had the opportunity to speak further with Ms. Blumenthal Lazan and express the significant impact of her inspiring words and story.
“I feel so lucky to be a part of the last generation of people who can hear from an actual Holocaust survivor,” said Riverhead Middle School seventh grader Savannah Jones. “I felt sad that she had to go through such a horrible experience. She is such an inspiration to me.”
First-hand survivor accounts, such as Ms. Blumenthal Lazan’s, further enhance connections to history and powerfully resonate, allowing students to interact with classroom material on a deeper level and develop their character and values. These accounts let listeners in on a heartbreaking, but significant, moment in history and encourage them to contribute to a brighter future that is steeped in empathy and does not repeat the dark moments of the past.
“Marion Blumenthal Lazan’s visit to our school was a powerful and meaningful opportunity to learn about history, resilience, and the importance of tolerance and respect,” said Riverhead Middle School Principal Kellyann Parlato.
Marion Blumenthal Lazan has spoken with over one million people in 41 states and five countries about her story of hardship, hope, and courage. She is the subject of the PBS documentary Marion’s Triumph and the author of her memoir Four Perfect Pebbles: A Holocaust Story. She has received numerous accolades for her work in Holocaust awareness and education, including the New York State Board of Regents Louis E. Yavner Citizen Award, a special congressional citation, designation as a New York State Senate Woman of Distinction, and keys to the cities of Galesburg, Illinois, Owensboro, Kentucky, and Idaho Falls, Idaho. She was awarded the German Federal Cross of Merit by President Frank-Walter Steinmeier in 2023, and the grade and high school Marion Blumenthal Oberschule in Hoya, Germany was named in her honor.
For more information about the Riverhead Central School District, please visit the district’s website at www.riverhead.net. Happenings in the district can also be followed on Facebook at www.facebook.com/riverheadCSD. #BlueWavesPride.
Holocaust survivor Marion Blumenthal Lazan, third from left, with Riverhead Middle School students following her powerful assembly
Holocaust Marion Blumenthal Lazan, middle, inspires Riverhead Middle School with her story and message
Holocaust survivor Marion Blumenthal Lazan and a Riverhead Middle School student engage in a discussion following her assembly
Holocaust survivor Marion Blumenthal Lazan and a Riverhead Middle School student hug following her inspiring assembly
Holocaust survivor Marion Blumenthal Lazan, fourth from left, with Riverhead Middle School students after her meaningful assembly