It was a powerful moment as the crucial message echoed throughout the gymnasium.

While discussing fighting antisemitism with Island Park Elementary School fifth-graders on a recent afternoon, Devon Benaroya glanced at his two Mercer Island High School (MIHS) classmates and strongly spoke into the microphone, “We decided to take a stand, make a change within our school.”

The MIHS senior added that the youngsters, too, can make a difference in their lives.

Benaroya and junior Mimi Hartman, who are both Jewish, and junior Mia LoBosco centered their presentation on educating the fifth-graders about the Holocaust and coming together to remember the past and learn from those tragedies.

By being upstanders, Benaroya said people can be resilient, just like the daffodils they would soon plant outside the school as part of the Worldwide Daffodil Project.

Benaroya, president of the student-led MIHS Holocaust Education Committee, said he is excited to watch the daffodils bloom in the spring. On Nov. 8, they joined the students by planting 250 daffodil bulbs as part of the international movement to plant 1.5 million bulbs in remembrance of the 1.5 million children killed in the Holocaust and those youngsters who are persecuted for their identities today, Benaroya said.

“When you see an injustice, say something, do something,” Island Park Principal David Hoffman told the kids following the presentation.

During the presentation, two Island Park students spoke about remembering what happened and to not let it occur again, and being respectful to those who were hurt.

LoBosco helped form the partnership with the school because she was a former Island Park Elementary student and reached out to some of her former teachers. She was horrified to learn about the Holocaust in middle school and feels it’s important to educate kids about some of the aspects of the tragedy at an early age.

After listening to a Holocaust survivor’s story during a school presentation last April, LoBosco wanted to get involved with the committee.

“It’s like student activism. We’re trying to teach these kids, ‘You’re students, if you see something around you that’s not right, you have the power to change it,’” said LoBosco, adding that students can help change the world.

Hartman said that learning about the Holocaust at a young age is essential in stopping the spread of antisemitism everywhere, including on the Island.

Benaroya elaborated on local incidents and is disturbed and frustrated that these occur: “Since there have been so many instances of antisemitism and hate within our own high school and in our own district, we felt really passionate about something that was going to be long lasting and that would continue to be brought up year after year.”

In one instance in February of 2019, two MIHS students were photographed making Nazi salutes off campus and the image was widely circulated on social media, according to a Reporter article. The school district said in a press release that they were “deeply disturbed and saddened by these images” and investigated the situation. The students in the photo said in a prepared statement that “We realize this mistake was offensive and never meant for that to happen.”

Prior to the Nov. 8 presentation, Hoffman said he was pleased that the passionate MIHS students brought their worthy cause to the Island Park students.

“I think it’s just again part of our inclusive practices, learning about history and about how it’s really important that we understand each others’ cultures and religions and history so that we can move forward and create a better world for all,” he said.

From left, Mercer Island High School’s Mimi Hartman, Devon Benaroya and Mia LoBosco are members of the student-led Holocaust Education Committee. They worked on the Worldwide Daffodil Project with Island Park Elementary School students on Nov. 8. Andy Nystrom/ staff photo

Mercer Island High School’s Devon Benaroya (center) oversees the planting of daffodils. Andy Nystrom/ staff photo

Island Park Elementary School students watch a presentation about the Worldwide Daffodil Project by the Mercer Island High School Holocaust Education Committee. Andy Nystrom/ staff photo