by George J Elbaum

Moreau Catholic High School is a college preparatory Roman Catholic secondary school established in 1965 by the Congregation of the Holy Cross.  With college preparation as a focus for its 900 students, the results are admirable: of the recent graduating class, 100% went to college, 50% received at least one Merit-Based Scholarship/Award, and over 75% scored 3 or higher on their AP exams.  As a result of this academic strength, Moreau was one of only 8 schools in California and 54 schools nationwide to be selected as a 2010 Apple Distinguished School, recognized for educational excellence through use of technology across its curriculum to provide its students with the 21^st century skills needed to succeed.

However, as a community of faith, the school also prepares its students through social and spiritual learning to become responsible citizens of the global community.  Thus, as part of its humanistic and liberal arts curriculum, Moreau’s 10^th grade English class includes a study of the Holocaust as taught by teacher Samantha Wainwright, who arranged my talk together with Jack Weinstein of Facing History and Ourselves.  She prepared her students for my talk through reading of Eli Wiesel’s Night, the Terezin poetry collection, and a variety of stories of victims, survivors and perpetrators, plus viewing applicable propaganda posters, watching the movie Life is Beautiful, etc.  My talk was also attended by the school’s assistant principal, Matthew Stadelman.