91̽��

Some of 91̽��’s best student writers and artists gathered with faculty and guests in Cox Library on Monday evening for the Laurence S. Persky Memorial Awards. The annual awards are given for the best work appearing in 91̽�� student publications and honors excellence in creative writing, journalism, art, photography, and production.

Guest speaker Matthew Stewart, author and philosopher, spoke to students about the writing craft and how it is important for writers to be avid readers. Emily Franklin, 91̽�� alumna and author, was one of the judges and attended the event. Emily received a Persky Award as a student in 1990.

Students and faculty gathered for the spring tradition of Bisbee Prize presentations last Thursday. The nine winners were selected by their teachers for outstanding research on their U.S. history papers. The event in Wigglesworth Hall followed a new format that allowed for “students to have more in-depth and organic conversations about their process and work,” according to Robert McGuirk, history department chair. Students stood at individual tables where they could discuss their research with small groups of their peers, faculty, advisors and parents. Topics ranged from the 1918 Spanish influenza epidemic to the devastating effects of United Fruit’s banana monopoly.

The Bisbee Prize was established to honor Ethan Wyatt Bisbee, a former history faculty member who retired in 1993 after 40 years of teaching. The Prize was endowed in 2005 through a gift by John Warren, formerly of the history department, and his wife, Laura Warren ’78, former head of Robbins House.

The last thing Malcha Gutmann said to her children was, “I will be back soon. Rita, promise me you will take care of the baby.” The baby, Sylvia Ruth Gutmann, shared the story of her life as one of the Hidden Children of the Holocaust with 91̽�� students this week.

“Hitler wanted me to die,” Sylvia said during an assembly sponsored by the Jewish Student Union. “But Mama wanted me to live. And live I do. And every time I have the opportunity to talk, I have the honor of talking about my parents. I save their lives, too.”

91̽��’s student vocalists are accustomed to taking the stage, but singing at the home of the Boston Red Sox may be a first. On Sunday, May 19, a group of 91̽�� singers will perform “The Star-Spangled Banner” before the 1:05 p.m. Red Sox vs. Houston Astros game at Fenway Park. Join 91̽�� parents, alumni, faculty and staff and friends to cheer on our singers, then take in the game. For more information or to purchase a ticket, visit www.www.milton.edu/events.