Wax Museum gives students a chance to become ledgendary figures

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Reese Weitekamp talks to parents as Lousisa May Alcott. Fifth graders at New Palestine Intermediate School dressed up as famous historic characters for a school project. Monday, March 6, 2023.

NEW PALESTINE — Dressed in black, knee-high boots and a white, ruffled shirt with a navy jacket, fifth-grade student Arianna Rodriquez capped off her historical outfit with a white wig, making herself look like the character she was portraying — Alexander Hamilton.

Monday and Tuesday were Wax Museum Days at New Palestine Intermediate School. The event allowed all fifth grade students to show off the historical character they selected to research, write a presentation on and then dress up as and portray during the open house for parents.

From historical figures like John F. Kennedy, Franklin D. Roosevelt and Alexander Hamilton to legendary sports figures like Babe Ruth and Bobby Knight, there were a plethora of legendary figures on display. They included the likes of entertainers Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson and American puppeteer and Muppet creator Jim Henson, to name a few.

Arianna read her two-minute presentation on Hamilton from an old-time-looking scroll — one she created by placing it in a bag with coffee grinds, a little water and salt. The students say they had a great time learning about the past in one of their first serious research projects.

“When I was little, I was so inspired by the musical Hamilton, and when I heard we were doing a history research project, I went straight to Alexander Hamilton,” Arianna said. “I didn’t know he was an author, and I didn’t know he was killed by Aaron Burr who was jealous of him, so I learned a lot.”

Principal Vincent Meo went through the school’s cafeteria checking out the student presentations along with parents and said he was impressed by the projects. He liked the different levels of learning the students put into the presentations, which also had to have poster display boards filled with information.

“I love that they got to research historical figures and were able to present for their classmates and parents,” Meo said. “It’s quite an opportunity for them to show their research skills, write a presentation and then turn it into a live figure.”

Student Kate Reynolds selected Betty White to be the topic of her research project, but by default.

“I had a list of people and I couldn’t remember all the names I had on there so, when it came time to pick, I remembered the name Betty White,” Kate said. “This project has been fun, but there was some stress because a lot of us stressed about performing in front of the class.”

Fifth grade teacher Becky Baker noted the educators broke the project into segments, giving the students plenty of time to do research and then create their costumes and posters.

“This was the first experience any of the kids had with public speaking, and we knew all the kids were going to feel a little silly dressed up in their costumes, but once they saw how quickly it goes when they got into their character, we told them the presentations would be very easy,” Baker said.

She noted that, while the project as a whole was intimidating, the finished projects and presentations were worth the work.

“I’m always amazed at how well the projects end up coming together,” Baker said. “Even though some of the kids were nervous, once they got into their character, it became easier and they ended up having pride in their work.”

Student Ashton Snow was dressed as Michael Jackson, including wearing a hat, dress shirt and slacks like Jackson used to when he preformed.

“I liked his music,” Ashton said of selecting Jackson as his subject. “I learned he was a really popular singer and dancer and people loved his music and he was the one who created the moon-walking move.”

One of the parents, Lorraine Jeter, not only took the time to watch her daughter Nora’s presentation of astronaut Sally Ride, but she also visited the other student’s displays like many of the parents did.

“The kids have been working on these projects in class for several months now,” Jeter said. “They’ve been doing their own boards and making note cards, and it’s good for them to learn about organization and do research on someone they do not know about.”

She, like many people checking out the “wax museum” say they were impressed with the students’ work, including how each display area had a fake button to be pushed, causing the student to “come alive” as their character and give their two-minute presentation.