HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR SPEAKS AT FERNDALE HIGH SCHOOL

In an auditorium full of high school students, there’s a moment of complete silence as Renee Firestone takes a breath to tell the horrific story of how she survived the most notorious death camp during the Holocaust.Firestone grew up in Hungary and was just 20 years old when she entered Auschwitz.She recalls how long it took to get to the death camp, and the family members and friends she lost through the chimneys.You could see students, teachers and staff with tears in their eyes as Firestone recalls the day she lost her sister. “When she was talking about her family splitting up,” I went back to my family and thought about what would happen.”Firestone believes that she made it out of Auschwitz alive so she could share her story and encourage peace.“Our needs and wants are all the same,” Firestone said. “So why bully somebody or hurt their feelings."But why Ferndale?“It doesn't matter how big or small the school is, students everywhere in the world should know about it,” Firestone said.“The fact that she wants to come to our school and to talk to us personally,” Myers said. “I’m honored.”Firestone currently resides in Los Angeles and talks as much as she can about her experience. She even appeared in the documentary film, The Last Days, produced by Steven Spielberg, and the more recent film, Freedom Writers
“Hopefully, someday when I’m no longer here maybe people will know,” Firestone said. “And the world will be a better place to live in.”