THE horrors of Auschwitz and the Nazis’ final solution to exterminate the Jews were laid bare at a powerful public talk held by two Buckie Community High School senior students. October saw Tarla Ramage and Willow Daymond join a large group of senior students from across Scotland in visiting the World War II era camp which has become a museum to the one million or so people murdered there and the appalling suffering endured by inmates to satisfy a cruel and racist ideology. So moved were the duo by their experiences that they felt they had to hold a talk open to the wider community to share their experiences, which was held in
the school’s Highfield Hal on Wednesday, November 14. A mixture of photo displays – currently on show in the social area at BCHS – an array of related material and a PowerPoint presentation all combined to deliver a hard-hitting and acclaimed event. An interest in history, plus hearing about the experiences of students from the school who had made the trip to Auschwitz in previous years, meant that Tarla and Willow were keen to apply for scheme, which is run by the Holocaust Education Trust. Tarla said: “It’s not how you imagine it, it’s hard to describe. The whole experience will stay with us for ever, I think. One thing that stands out for me was in Auschwitz I; we were near the back of the group and we looked over at the fences which have become an iconic image of the camp. It was quite chilling to think that back then there would’ve been so many people milling around next to them yet now it’s so quiet. “It’s insane how many people they fitted into the camp. “We also visited the nearby town and it was surprising to see there wasn’t a memorial to the camp.” The contrasts between past and present were also to sit in stark contrast for Willow. “I think the most memorable bit for me was in the second camp at the part where everyone was processed,” she continued. “It’s desolate now but it would’ve been full back then. “The camp is very big, much bigger than you’d
probably expect but at the same time the buildings are very close together. “What also stuck in my mind was in the town where there’s a mound of earth where a synagogue once stood but there’s nothing there to tell you that, you couldn’t know just by looking. I’m very glad I did this; I’d definitely say to anyone who wants to do it to go ahead an apply.”
The pair’s efforts were hailed by PPT guidance Donna Mackintosh. “They were fantastic, it’s one of the best presentations I’ve ever seen on the subject,” she added. Tarla and Willow are wiling to speak to local groups about their experiences in Poland. Any group interested should contact Miss Mackintosh at BCHS on 01542 832605.