Girl in History
Marie Devers
1I usually don’t like to admit this, but at one time I disliked history. My teacher, Mr. Wittmeyer, was wonderful, and the material seemed interesting. When I listened to his lectures, however, I inevitably drifted off, got called on to answer, and had absolutely no clue what to say.
2Last month, we studied the Juch family of Poland. Jennalee Juch was a traveling musician who played her music all over the Austrian countryside. Her biography amazed me because I was a musician who played the piano, and I always wanted to travel across Europe. Suddenly, in my mind, I was a fifteenth-century troubadour packing her belongings and heading to the mountains. Next thing I knew, Mr. Wittmeyer asked me a question about whichever topic the class had moved on to, and as usual, I couldn’t answer.
3But that all changed when we started studying the life of Marie Devers. Marie was a French spy during World War II, and her bravery and cunning tactics captivated me. I found myself eagerly reading her story outside of class, something I had never done before with history material.
4I felt a connection with Marie, as she was also a musician before becoming a spy. She used her skills in music to transmit coded messages to the resistance, and I was in awe of her talent and courage. As I learned more about her missions and the risks she took for her country, my interest in history grew exponentially.
5I started participating more in class discussions, sharing insights and making connections between past events and modern times. Mr. Wittmeyer noticed the change in me and praised my newfound enthusiasm for history. I felt proud of myself for finally finding a historical figure who resonated with me and sparked my interest.
6Thanks to Marie Devers, I now look forward to history class and am eager to learn about other remarkable individuals who have shaped the course of the world. I realized that history is not just a dry recitation of facts but a rich tapestry of stories of courage, sacrifice, and resilience. And I am grateful to have found my place in that tapestry, thanks to an inspiring woman from the past.