This year’s March of the Living was unlike any other. The Southern Region delegation had the extraordinary honor of leading the march, carrying the banner at the front of thousands from around the world. Each step they took through the streets of Poland bore the weight of history, yet shone with the light of remembrance and resilience. Surrounded by a community of learners, leaders, and witnesses, the group advanced with pride, reverence, and an unwavering commitment to carry memory into the future.

“There is no greater honor,” said Stephanie Nichol, Director of March of the Living Southern Region. “Leading this group is more than a responsibility. It is a sacred honor. Each step of the March felt heavy with history but also lit with the strength of those who remember and those who now carry the memory forward. Watching our students listen and learn with reverence, ask questions with empathy, and cry with open hearts gives me hope that the Jewish community is in good hands.”

From visiting the solemn sites of Treblinka and the Lupochowo Forest to standing shoulder to shoulder at the gates of Auschwitz, the students engaged fully, listened with reverence, asked questions with empathy, and mourned with open hearts. It is this next generation that inspires hope that the Jewish community, and the memory of the six million, are in caring, courageous hands.

“While our morning was marked with grieving and pure shock at the sites of Treblinka and the Lupochowo Forest, we found a way to commemorate and honor the memory of the hundreds of thousands who perished in this location. We went to a nearby synagogue, and the pride of being Jewish and determination to show resilience shined through,” said student Sophia Marton. “We are so grateful to have each other’s support through such a difficult journey.”

This year’s trip included additional lessons of Jewish renewal and moments of hope, including a visit to the Warsaw Zoo, where more than 300 Jews were saved during the Holocaust. Walking those grounds and learning of the bravery displayed there served as another reminder that even in humanity’s darkest hours, sparks of light endured.

As participants walked through towns once home to thriving Jewish life, guided by local leaders and the city’s commandant officer, the students connected deeply with stories of survival, legacy, and strength. In Plonsk, the group followed in the footsteps of David Ben‑Gurion and other pillars of Jewish history, gaining a greater understanding of what it means to lead, to remember, and to carry on.

The experience left a lasting impact on the Southern Region delegation. After days of learning, reflection, and connection, the group returned with a clearer sense of their role in preserving Jewish history and identity. The March of the Living served as a reminder that remembrance is not passive. It requires active engagement, empathy, and a commitment to ensuring that the stories of the past continue to be heard by future generations.

Also on the Journey: Adult Delegation Joins March of the Living

Alongside the student delegation, an adult bus from South Palm Beach County participated in this year’s March of the Living, joining thousands from around the world in bearing witness and honoring the memory of the six million. Their journey mirrored that of the students—visiting historical sites, meeting survivors, and forging deeper connections to Jewish history and resilience. Together, across generations, the Southern Region delegation stood united in remembrance and hope.