WICHITA, Kansas, May 12, 2008 – You may know her from your child’s school play. A Polish woman tortured and nearly killed for her heroic work during the Holocaust. Four Kansas Students brought attention to her life; one that ended today at the age of 98.

The life and work of Irena Sendler was one of great testimony.

"It's a story of tolerance, courage and especially since Sept. 11th; a story the world needed to hear,” said former students Megan Stewart.

It’s a story made famous by high school students in Uniontown, KS who portrayed the events in a play.

It was in the Warsaw Ghetto that Irena helped smuggle 2,500 Jewish children to safety. Their names were buried in a jar only to be dug up later to reunite the children with their families.

The play, ‘Life in a Jar,’ gained worldwide attention and took the small town students to Poland, where they finally met the Holocaust Hero.

"That was an incredible experience,” Stewart said. “I've never felt so much emotion at one time. We all came running in and hugged her and just embraced her. It was like meeting a long lost friend you've known forever.”

Today, on a Web site dedicated to Irena, Megan Stewart writes, “My life has been forever touched by her testimony for good winning out over evil. Irena was more than a close friend; she was a role model for my life.”

Irena was nominated last year for a Nobel Peace Prize; one that Al Gore won. If you’d like to know more about her legacy, click on News Links.