Elaine Loft, Staff Writer
Each year The Derryfield School chooses a member of the senior class to receive an award in honor of Simeon Kass, who survived the Holocaust as a young boy. The Boelig Family, who had two children graduate from Derryfield, were friends with Kass late in his life. They created the Simeon Kass award in 2007 to honor Kass, his life experiences, and his passions. “Uncle Sim,” as he was known to the Boelig children, was a Jewish Parisian whose mother and two young brothers all died at Auschwitz.
The award is presented in the fall to a Derryfield senior who demonstrates outstanding writing skills, an appreciation of other cultures, a burning inquisitiveness, and the disposition to take a position and challenge perceived opinions.
Anna Moskov, Director of Philanthropy & Engagement, announced the winner of the award during Community Meeting on October 21.
“This year we had eight excellent pieces to read, and I want to thank all the seniors who submitted their work. Their stories transported us across the globe, and each shared a unique perspective. Today we celebrate the winner of the 2025 Simeon Kass Award, Camille Garcia ‘26.”
Moskov then read a passage from Garcia’s essay, entitled “The Happiest Birthday.”
“Dibuja tus frutas favoritas,” I announced to the large group of giggling elementary and middle school kids. They grabbed their crayons and focused on creating masterful sketches of grapes, bananas, and oranges. “What type of fruits do you like?” asked Alejandro, a young 14-year-old boy who had been coming to the vacation Bible school program every night at the Vivora Church in Cuba. He was the first to dare to sing out “head, shoulders, knees, and toes” in English and converse with all the missionaries there. As I sat with him and his friend, I learned he loves oranges, bananas, and cañandonga. Alejandro described it as a dark brown thin banana with a pungent scent that makes your mouth dry and insides scream, but if your eyes are closed and you take a deep breath in, it has a sweet flavor similar to a honey-covered apple. Such a fruit seemed unimaginable to me, but I took his word for it. He told me it was a rare fruit, but if you were lucky enough to find it, it would be your favorite fruit forever.”
Moskov summarized the conclusion of Garcia’s story,
“The next day Alejandro brings Camille one of these fruits, and she uses this interaction to illustrate her connection with this young student, which at first she did not understand.”
According to the Boeligs, Kass carried around a notebook everywhere he went, taking notes and writing down phrases – he was always learning, and was always inquisitive. Although he lost much of his family, what the Boeligs remember are his resilience and love of life. Kass honored the power of education to push back the darkness of prejudice, fear and brutality. He believed that knowledge, when combined with a burning curiosity and compassion, illuminates the most beautiful things in this world. So too did the founders of Derryfield.
