Holocaust survivor Gabriella Karin was invited to share her powerful experiences of resilience with the 7th grade class as well as parents, faculty, and staff, as part of the 7th grade’s Holocaust unit.

Karin grew up in Bratislava, Slovakia. During the peak of World War II, her parents placed her in a Catholic convent where she hid for three years under a false identity and a different religion. At 14 years old, she returned to her family who were forced into hiding during Nazi occupation. Gabriella and her family survived thanks to Karol Blanar, her aunt’s boyfriend at the time, who courageously hid them (a total of eight people) in his one-bedroom apartment. Karin emphasized that the key to her hope and strength during the most difficult time in her life were her mindset. She stated: “We may not be able to control our circumstances—the only thing you can control is what’s in your head.” (A great reminder of the strength of our minds!) Thank you to Karin for sharing her story and the valuable lessons she has learned throughout her life.