Wax Museum Deemed Informative and Entertaining

On Wednesday afternoon, April 13, the Meadowlark Gym transformed into a Living Wax Museum. The fifth grade students of Mrs. Lesa MacLeod and Mr. Trevor Reid at Meadowlark Elementary School in Chinook portrayed people who have made some kind of impact on American History.

The event opened with the students delivering short speeches. These speeches provided an introduction to the Living Wax Museum, during which guests could hear each student's narrative and get a glimpse of what they might later view.

When the wax museum was initially conceived under the leadership of Mrs. Shirley MacKenzie, it was a sixth grade project. With MacKenzie's retirement, the fifth grade adopted the project as a culmination to their research about a specific person in American History who has made an impact through invention, movement, or cultural change. According to MacLeod, this is part of the class' study of anthropology-the study of humankind, past and present.

Students conducted research on their chosen person, crafted a written presentation to capture the essence of the historical figure's life journey and achievements, created a backdrop, and memorized a 1-3 minute speech summarizing the importance of the person's life.

Following the oral presentations, the students took their positions around the gym's perimeter and posed as their wax figures while the audience "walked the gallery," meandering from station to station, taking pictures or reading the students' reports and banners of information. After assembling period-specific clothing and gathering props, students dressed in those costumes in order to lend a historical relevance to their selected personality.

Many of the students chose to honor the inspirational contributions of sports heroes, entertainers, activists, and politicians. However, others captured creative artists, inventors, explorers, and other social contributors:

• Cassidy Darlington Pocahontas

• Kyra Berreth Martha Washington

• Kollin Gustitis Davey Crockett

• Tori Snow Sacagawea

• Beau Elias Abraham Lincoln

• Addilyn Zellmer Harriet Tubman

• Colter Snedigar Theodore Roosevelt

• Charley Nissen Annie Oakley

• Ashton Kokkeler Albert Einstein

• Lillie Skoyen Helen Keller

• January Jensen Fannie Sperry Steele

• Dane Frey-Haluska Walt Disney

• Oliver Nissen James J. Braddock

• Lane Wicks John Wayne

• Adele Hofman Frida Kahlo

• Miracle Morin Rosa Parks

• Lillianna Lodge Pole Hedy Lamarr

• Tyrell Small Elvis Presley

• Abby Danley Wilma Rudolph

• Zoë Scofield Dolly Parton

• Bridger Billmayer Donald Trump

• Hudson Crowley Joe Montana

• Wacee Simenson Michael Jackson

• Cynnloch Gibson Daniel Craig

• Aidan Zinn Chris Evans

• Amanda Finley Bethany Hamilton

• Rhett Hofeldt Eli Tomac

• Tyler Stepper Patrick Mahomes II

Although all backdrops, research reports, and speeches were completed in class, students were asked to search for costume and prop ideas at home. In a letter sent to parents in mid-March, the two teachers stated: "This does not need to be expensive – we're encouraging students to use creative thinking." However, some of the props and costumes were quite elaborate and creative.

According to MacLeod, the goal of this project was to showcase historical figures who have made an impact on United States history or who have made the world a better place in one way or another. "Any historical figure was fair game so long as the individual had or has made a lasting and positive contribution to his or her field or to humanity in general. The students themselves decided what they considered that contribution to be," MacLeod said.

The Living Wax Museum demonstrated evidence of the students' learning not only about various historical figures but about poise under pressure and about how much they can accomplish when given the power of choice.

"Every year I am pleased with how well the project comes together in the end, and this year was no exception. The kids were great. The speeches are always a nerve-wracking time for the students, but public speaking is a valuable experience and an important life skill," MacLeod stated.

To aid a couple of his students who enacted presidents, Reid dressed as a secret service agent-complete with dark glasses and an ear piece. He read a portion of Abraham Lincoln's presentation and held the microphone for Donald Trump, who required hand gestures to punctuate his speech in the absence of a microphone stand.

Individuals attending the event commented on both its entertainment value and informational qualities. Many left the school remarking on the good job the students had done.