Grad Student Will Use Scholarship to Teach
Students the Harsh Reality of the Holocaust

John Pascal, a graduate student and a teacher at the Seton Hall Preparatory School in West Orange, is one of only three recipients chosen to receive the 2006 Martha Rich Scholarship for the New Jersey Commission on Holocaust Education's Summer Seminar. Pascal will embark on a trip to Germany, the Czech Republic, Poland and Amsterdam in July to gain first-hand knowledge of the harsh reality Jews faced during the Holocaust.

The Martha Rich Scholarship Committee awarded Pascal the scholarship hoping he would use the trip to intensify his ability to help his high school students appreciate the importance of speaking and acting against racism, injustice and prejudice.

"I'll record what I see and feel through pictures and written journals that I will bring into my classroom for the past, present and future students in years to come," said Pascal.  "This summer seminar also will enhance the annual trip I organize for 45 freshmen to visit the U.S. Memorial Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C."

Pascal had 40 students enter the Oprah Winfrey nationwide essay contest concerning Elie Wiesel's book, Night, which tells about his fight to survive the year he spent in Nazi concentration camps. "I had the privilege of meeting Dr. Wiesel when he spoke in Short Hills a few weeks ago," said Pascal.  "I told him I'm going to Auschwitz and that I hope the experience will sear my soul. He looked at me solemnly and quietly replied, 'It will.' "

"The faculty in the English M.A. program is proud that one of its students has been recognized with such a prestigious award," said Art Simon of English. "One goal of our program is to turn teachers into teacher-scholars. John is one of our most thoughtful and diligent students and it is great to see his efforts as a teacher be recognized in this way."