"Beauty remains even in misfortune. One who is happy will make others happy. One who has courage will never die in misery."
-Anne Frank
Anne Frank at the age of thirteen while in hiding from the persecution of the Jews reported in her diary that the only thing she could see out the window at 188 Keizersgracht, Amsterdam were the branches of a horse chestnut tree. It had clusters of white flowers in spring and brilliant orange leaves in the fall. She referred to the tree three times in her last six months of life. Her dad, Otto Frank, the only family member to survive the Holocaust was quoted in 1968 when he read her diary for the first time. He said that Anne had never shown interest in nature. "Still, she longed for it when she felt like a bird in a cage. Only the thought of the freedom of nature gave her comfort."
And now, thanks to the combined efforts of the Newburyport Choral Society, Friends of Newburyport Trees, Newburyport city officials, school personnel and school volunteer Penny Lazarus, the students at the Nock Middle School will see a horse chestnut tree blossom outside their windows as they await release for their April school vacation. The seventh graders have been studying the Holocaust as part of their curriculum and The Newburyport Choral Society performed Annelies this spring, a full length choral work based on Anne Frank's diary, chosen in the spirit of establishing Newburyport as a place of acceptance for all people. The Choral Society donated the tree to the school, appointing the Nock students its caretakers.
School volunteer Penny Lazarus is also a member of the Newburyport Choral Society. She organized a dedication ceremony for the tree and stone bench on June 15, 2018. Students first gathered in the auditorium to watch a performance by their peers of a skit about Anne Frank followed by the eighth grade choral group singing "Hallelujah." Many city officials were in attendance including members of the Tree Commission and Mayor Holaday who spoke to Anne Frank's courage and vision of hope against oppression. Quoting from her diary, "I see the world being slowly turned into wilderness. I hear the approaching thunder that one day will destroy us too and yet when I look at the sky, I feel everything will change for the better." And as the composer who put Anne's words to music, James Whitbourn so perfectly articulated, "It is the text itself of such strength that finds a way to leave an indelible mark of that young girl whose wisdom and perception can teach us all." Click here to hear Mayor Holaday's remarks)
Retired High School Teacher, Deb Szabo addressed the students to explain her participation with Penny Lazarus in the selection of the stone with local stone carver Michael Updike at a quarry for the memorial bench (insert picture of bench) Click to listen to Deb Szabo. Not only did the stone have a symbolic scar, it spoke to them of freedom having been liberated from its likely former location at a Springfield prison.
Following the indoor ceremony, the audience proceeded outdoors to the tree and bench for remarks by Dr. George Case, Music Director of the Choral Society and a moment of silence. (click here to listen to Dr. Case) Monarch butterflies kept dormant in refrigeration were then released culminating the ceremony. (view release)
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| Nock Students viewing slide of a horse chestnut tree in bloom at tree dedication assembly |
And now, thanks to the combined efforts of the Newburyport Choral Society, Friends of Newburyport Trees, Newburyport city officials, school personnel and school volunteer Penny Lazarus, the students at the Nock Middle School will see a horse chestnut tree blossom outside their windows as they await release for their April school vacation. The seventh graders have been studying the Holocaust as part of their curriculum and The Newburyport Choral Society performed Annelies this spring, a full length choral work based on Anne Frank's diary, chosen in the spirit of establishing Newburyport as a place of acceptance for all people. The Choral Society donated the tree to the school, appointing the Nock students its caretakers.
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| Stone bench dedicated to Anne Frank next to the new Horse Chestnut Street near the Nock School front entrance |
School volunteer Penny Lazarus is also a member of the Newburyport Choral Society. She organized a dedication ceremony for the tree and stone bench on June 15, 2018. Students first gathered in the auditorium to watch a performance by their peers of a skit about Anne Frank followed by the eighth grade choral group singing "Hallelujah." Many city officials were in attendance including members of the Tree Commission and Mayor Holaday who spoke to Anne Frank's courage and vision of hope against oppression. Quoting from her diary, "I see the world being slowly turned into wilderness. I hear the approaching thunder that one day will destroy us too and yet when I look at the sky, I feel everything will change for the better." And as the composer who put Anne's words to music, James Whitbourn so perfectly articulated, "It is the text itself of such strength that finds a way to leave an indelible mark of that young girl whose wisdom and perception can teach us all." Click here to hear Mayor Holaday's remarks)
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| Dr. George Case, Newburyport Choral Society Director leads moment of silence next to the memorial bench |
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| Butterflies, a symbol of hope, were released around the Horse Chestnut Tree |
Excerpts from The Diary of Anne Frank regarding the horse chestnut tree:
23 February 1944
The two of us looked out at the blue sky, the bare chestnut tree glistening with dew, the seagulls and other birds glinting with silver as they swooped through the air, and we were so moved and entranced that we couldn’t speak.
18 April 1944
April is glorious, not too hot and not too cold, with occasional light showers. Our chestnut tree is in leaf, and here and there you can already see a few small blossoms.
13 May 1944
Our chestnut tree is in full bloom. It’s covered with leaves and is even more beautiful than last year.
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