Hamilton High School students heard a firsthand account of Holocaust survival and resilience during a visit from author and speaker Irene Miller on Wednesday.

Miller spoke with ninth- and 10th-grade students during second and third hours. A total of 423 students and staff attended. Her visit connected with books students are reading in English classes this year and gave them the opportunity to learn from someone who experienced this pivotal period in history.

Students asked questions and reflected on Miller’s story, including the challenges of being separated from family and facing hunger, cold and uncertainty. One student wrote that hearing Miller speak in person made history feel more immediate and reinforced the importance of empathy and standing up for people in difficult circumstances.

“Listening to Irene, an actual Holocaust survivor, speak in person was definitely a huge difference from when we’re reading about it in class,” another student reflected. The student said Miller’s story offered a lasting lesson: “to always stand for what’s right and to not let others dictate your opinion.”

“Bringing Irene Miller, a Holocaust survivor, to share her story with our students was an absolute honor,” said Rebecca Calvert, English teacher at Hamilton High School. “Irene’s journey isn’t just about surviving the Holocaust, but about overcoming adversity. I hope our students remember her message forever: face challenges and difficult times with resilience, stay positive, and aim to make a positive difference in the world.”

Hamilton High School is grateful to Calvert for her work in making the visit possible. A grant from the Mark Schonwetter Holocaust Education Foundation helped cover Miller’s speaker honorarium and the purchase of copies of her books for students.