On September 15, SHS History Dept. welcomed Maureen de la Harpe from Australia, a survivor from Lunghwa C.A.C., the Japanese WWII internment camp maintained on our campus from 1943-1945. Visiting China for the first time since 1946, she was joined by our good friend Betty Barr, the last Lunghwa survivor still living in Shanghai. Sven Serrano,Yunuo Li, Weilan Li and Weilin Chen from the SHS History Dept then conducted the two ladies on a short tour of the campus to visit the remaining original buildings from the camp period: the Dining Hall, former guards barracks, the site of G Block (where Betty and Maureen lived as children), now the Swimming Pool, F Block, E Block, D Block and the Theatre.
On the way both Maureen and Betty recalled events and stories from the camp period, and even sang one song they remembered from their time together. Afterwards we met interested members of the SHS faculty for a short question and answer session in the Theater Conference Room.
On behalf of SHSID and Shanghai High School we give our heartfelt thanks Maureen and Betty for coming. Their visit added to SHSID's current efforts to maintain the historic site that is our campus.