History came to life for Schalmont Middle School students during a recent talk by Marion Blumenthal Lazan, a Holocaust survivor and co-author of the award-winning memoir Four Perfect Pebbles.

Lazan, who spent much of her childhood under Hitler’s rule, shared a first-hand account of Nazi Germany with seventh- and eighth-grade students. Her presentation included messages about tolerance and the importance of positive thinking, creativity and inner strength when working to overcome adversity.

This was Lazan's third visit to Schalmont. Her first-hand account of the Holocaust has helped Schalmont MS students, who learn about the World War II era in eighth grade, identify that historical event with a living person. Current MS students are part of what may be the last generation to have such an opportunity because the youngest people to live through and still remember World War II are now in their mid-70s.

Marion Blumenthal Lazan (left) is pictured with MS Principal Michael Kondratowicz (center) and librarian Linda Fasano (right). Fasano has copies of "Four Perfect Pebbles" available to purchase (up until April 11) or to check out in the MS library.