Foothill’s black box theater was bustling with energy and excitement as students gathered to hear Bernd Simon tell his life story on Wednesday.

The black box was packed with sophomores who studied the Holocaust in their world history class this year; all were eager to hear Simon’s fascinating story.

At ninety-one years “young”, Simon enthusiastically shared his experience in the Holocaust and the years following his escape. Simon’s presentation began with a video detailing his life before, during, and after the Holocaust.

Viewers were able to learn interesting facts about Simon’s life, such as the fact that he was taken to a concentration camp at age eighteen, and was able to escape from Dachau, the first concentration camp that was established by the Nazi government, with help from his mother.

The pain and suffering he experienced at the camp while doing hard labor and being beaten has unfortunately remained with him to this day, but he has made his life experiences into a motivational and inspiring story for all who hear it. “My hope, and faith, and prayers kept me alive.” he said.

“Mr. Simon has been volunteering as a speaker for about twelve years; I think he definitely helps the students gain a greater understanding about the Holocaust because they get a connection to a real life person. Seeing someone makes it more real,” said Cherie Eulau, who is the Honors World History teacher at Foothill.

Simon spoke as long as he could and answered questions with a wide smile every time. The one important message Simon wanted to get across to all the students was to “be tolerant of your fellow man, we are all the same, and love your country!”

“I think he is the nicest guy and his stories were great! He is an inspiring man,” said sophomore Jackson Tovar at the end of the presentation.

After leaving Germany, Simon established his life in the United Sates and served in the U.S. Armed Forces during World War II. Simon became a “Nazi hunter” later on in his military career and at one point he helped capture a disguised SS Gestapo officer during an investigation.

“I was like a conquistador!” Simon said.

When asked by a student who he thought was mostly responsible for the Holocaust, Simon replied “The German people at that time were responsible for the Holocaust; I too believed in Hitler at first. The people were mesmerized by his words and they let it happen.”

Simon now lives in Ventura with his wife, who was a slave laborer at Auschwitz concentration camp and is also a survivor of the Holocaust.