Trinity student has a passion for the past
Trinity student Ian Anderson, left, and Holocaust survivor Judah Samet talk at the Holocaust Center of Pittsburgh in December. Anderson and other students went to hear speakers on the Holocaust and Germany.
Anderson attended the 2017 International Conference on World War II at the Boeing Center in the National WWII Museum in New Orleans, La.
For many modern Americans, especially teenagers, history is simply a subject that is taken in school and then ignored; the focus is on the future. For Trinity Junior Ian Anderson, history is far more than this. His passion for history and his family’s personal connection to the second World War have led him to vehemently study the time period.
Anderson’s family has many close connections to the war, specifically to the Holocaust. Several of his distant cousins died at Dachau, a concentration camp near Munich, Germany, in the 1940s when they were young children. Two of his uncles, Edward Laskowicz and Tony Pelino, served in General George S. Patton’s Third Army and helped to liberate some of the concentration camps in 1945. Another relative that was stationed in the Pacific was captured by the Japanese and was forced on the Bataan Death March, while yet another worked on the Manhattan Project, the manufacturers of the atomic bomb.
However, Anderson’s passion for history stems from far more than historical connections and his interest in the subject. Anderson is able to see parallels between some of the societies of that time as well as modern ones. He feels that the nationalism that preceded the rise of dictatorships in the 1930s is present today as well.
“It fills me with sadness that in countries that used to stand for freedom and equality for all, some of which were our former adversaries, we still see symbols in the streets that many brave Americans fought and died to destroy in an effort to free the world from oppression,” said Anderson.
Anderson fell in love with history when he was 7 years old, after he learned of his grandfather’s service in the Army Air Corps. He initially began researching aviation in the 20th century but later began learning about other historical events and time periods. Anderson enjoyed watching documentaries on the History Channel, such as the “Dogfights” series, which recreated the events of famous aircraft battles.
One of Anderson’s favorite historical trips was to the National WWII Museum in New Orleans, La., in November to attend the International Conference on World War II. He enjoyed the opportunity to see the exhibits and listen to the speakers that were visiting at the same time.
Trinity student Ian Anderson also attended a symposium during the International Conference.
After graduation, Anderson plans to further his education through undergraduate and graduate studies, and he ultimately wants a doctorate in history. He hopes to become either a writer or educator of history at a university or a researcher for an airline company or defense corporation.
Anderson’s commitment to studying history is not only evident when conversing with him, but is also obvious to his teachers. Kristen Shaw noticed his passion for history when she had him in her sophomore English class.
“Anderson’s curiosity and passion for history is unique among students today. His enthusiasm is catching; his understanding and knowledge have certainly provided tremendous insight to classroom discussion. It is refreshing to not only see his interest in history but also to observe his willingness to share his knowledge with his teachers and peers,” said Shaw.
Anderson is already planning another visit to the World War II Museum in New Orleans in hopes to attend the International Conference on World War II again. He hopes to take photographs to send to his friends, some of whom volunteer at museums in other countries.
Those who converse with Anderson, even if for a brief time, are able to gather that history is a unique passion of his, and one that not every young person today shares.
Maria Cimino is a junior at Trinity High School. She is the feature editor of “The Hiller” newspaper.