Arn Chorn-Pond Visits UHS
As a child, Arn Chorn-Pond survived the Killing Fields of the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia by playing his flute. Now he lives in the United States, but visits Cambodia to help revive the arts that were repressed by the Khmer Rouge regime. Public Television did a documentary on him called, "The Flute Player." Arn visited UHS on October 23rd to talk to students about his experiences.
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Responses from students to Mr. Chorn-Pond's visit
"Arn made me thankful for my parents and teachers. He shows that even in the worst situations, human survival is possible. I don't care how far behind our class gets, it was worth it to help open or eyes to the world. His rapping in Cambodian was amazing!" --Anna
" I found Arn completely inspiring. I remember reading last year about victims of the holocaust and their terrifying, depressing conditions but only thinking, 'Goodness...this is aweful. I feel such sorrow for these people and am very fortunate to be living in such safety.' just to toss the thoughts back to my mind. But meeting Arn...I met someone who truly lived through a genocide. He was involved in it. I saw his pain and I understood for the first time just how horrible his past was. I met a figure of the world's depressing past, and it was inspirational." --
"I felt like his speech was so powerful. It made me feel like crying at times because his story is amazing, sad, and unexpected. I wish we could have stayed longer because I feel that he had so much to say. I think I got a lot out of it." --Zelda
"Arn was welcoming and warm. When I asked him my question, he looked me right in the eye without hesitation and enlightened me on his views of the world altered from his tragic childhood." -- Taskin
"I actually started tearing up when he was talking about how he didn't have parents to hug him in the mornings or at night and how we're lucky to have that. He really made me stop and think about how lucky I am to have parents. I really enjoyed the assembly. I learned a lot and how thankful I am for the things and people I have in my life. -- Carly
"I loved him. He gave me a whole new look on how lucky I am to have my parents. I really wish the whole school was able to hear him speak. I think he could have given people a new way on how we treat different cultures." --John
"He didn't just talk, he spoke from his heart. He had me laughing and crying." -- Kirsten
" I thought he showed a lot of emotion to people he didn't know. I thought he wasn't afraid to show people how he felt. I think he's a very strong person in the heart." -- Pierre
"Arn's speech was outstanding. After seeing the movie, "The Flute Player" and then hearing that Arn was coming to our school, I was amazed. I was amazed how brave Arn is and how he survived. I was sich the day he spoke, but I came in for only that hour just to see him. His life is an amazing story to be told. Although nervous, I'm really glad he came here to talk to us. I really respect him.. --Elena
"His speech really changed my aspect on life, the respect I have for other people. He was really inspiring. His speech really opened my eyes to the other countries of the world and their problems." -- Joshua
"I felt like the truth was blown to my mind. It was worthwhile to me because I got to learn of another people's culture and it make me think of things in another perspective." --
"I felt that he had a lot of emotion and felt very strongly about his cause. Even though he felt very uncomfortable about speaking, he knew it was important to speak to the young people about what happened to him and what they should learn from his experience." -- Unberto
