Westmoreland Central School District was honored to host the Traveling Anne Frank Exhibit from the University of South Carolina this month, providing students, staff, families, and community members with a powerful educational experience centered around history, empathy, and the importance of standing up for others.
The Traveling Anne Frank Exhibit depicts the life and legacy of Anne Frank, a young Jewish girl whose diary became one of the most recognized and impactful accounts of the Holocaust. While the exhibit itself offered an important historical perspective, what made the experience truly unique at Westmoreland was the role our students played in bringing Anne’s story to life.
From May 19 through May 21, Westmoreland’s 6th grade students participated in specialized training sessions led by two educators from the Anne Frank House. During these sessions, students learned not only about Anne Frank and the Holocaust, but also how to become “docents,” or trained museum guides. Students practiced public speaking, storytelling, leadership, and presentation skills as they prepared to guide visitors through the exhibit.
Following their training, students stepped into leadership roles as official docents for the exhibit. Throughout the week, our 6th graders confidently guided fellow students, educators, and community members through the displays, sharing historical facts, personal reflections, and the important lessons connected to Anne Frank’s story. Visitors were able to witness firsthand the professionalism, maturity, and compassion demonstrated by our students as they discussed difficult historical topics with understanding and care.
The exhibit welcomed visitors from across the region. During the daytime hours, local school districts attended and toured the exhibit, including students and staff from Utica, Clinton, Oriskany, Vernon-Verona-Sherrill (VVS), Madison, New York Mills, and Westmoreland High School. The opportunity allowed students from multiple communities to engage in meaningful conversations about tolerance, acceptance, human rights, and the importance of learning from history.
On the evening of Wednesday, May 27, Westmoreland hosted a special family event for 6th grade students and their families. Parents and guests toured the exhibit while being guided by the student docents, who thoughtfully shared Anne Frank’s story and explained the exhibit’s themes and historical significance. Families had the opportunity to see their students shine in a different environment, demonstrating confidence, leadership, and a genuine passion for what they had learned.
The evening concluded with an inspiring keynote presentation from Erin Gruwell, founder of the Freedom Writers Foundation, alongside original Freedom Writer Tony. Their message centered on resilience, courage, empathy, and the importance of using your voice to create positive change in the world. Their presentation reinforced many of the same themes students explored throughout the exhibit and left a lasting impression on everyone in attendance.
This incredible opportunity would not have been possible without the support and collaboration of many individuals and organizations. Westmoreland Central School District extends its sincere gratitude to our teachers and staff, ICAN, the Jewish Community Center of Utica, the Freedom Writers Foundation, and the University of South Carolina for helping make this experience possible for our students and community.
Most importantly, we are extraordinarily proud of our 6th grade students. Through this experience, they not only learned about history, but also developed important life skills including communication, leadership, empathy, and confidence. Their dedication, professionalism, and compassion were evident throughout the entire event, and they represented Westmoreland with pride.
The Traveling Anne Frank Exhibit served as more than just a history lesson—it became an opportunity for students and visitors alike to reflect on the importance of kindness, understanding, and the responsibility we all share in creating a better future.
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