Oprah Winfrey, Maya Angelou and Danny Glover made an appearance at the Morse Young Child Magnet School in Poughkeepsie earlier this month.
Well, not the real celebrities – but their 7 and 8-year-old doppelgangers.
More than 70 Morse school second-grade students presented a wax museum on March 5, where they acted and dressed as accomplished black figures, past and present. The students lined the hallways, behind a velvet rope, each sporting a red button. Visitors pressed the buttons to hear a prepared narrative from the student about that particular legend’s life.
In its second year, the event, organized by Morse second-grade teachers, honors Black History Month in a creative, hands-on way, said main coordinator and teacher Jennifer Geer-Ennist.
“Three second-grade classes (metamorphosed) themselves into their famous African American they researched in January,” said Geer-Ennist. “The idea sort of piggy-backed off of Madame Tussauds’ wax museum, in New York City.”
After weeks of preparation, the students were energized for the event, Geer-Ennist said.
“They were very excited initially, but a little confused at first, because not all of them understood what a wax museum was,” she said. “But they were very, very excited to research their African Americans.”
Shaunte Galloway, whose 7-year-old son took on the role of NBA legend Wilt Chamberlain, said that the task was an exciting one for him.
“He’s loving it and very excited, and he even remembered (his whole speech),” said Galloway.
Leticia Wallace also said that her 8-year old son, Tyrese Wallace, who acted as agricultural chemist and inventor George Washington Carver, was eager to work on the project.
“He loved doing this, and he knows his part so well,” she said.
Latisha Jackson, mother of 7-year-old Corey Latimer, who played jazz legend Miles Davis, said that her son couldn’t wait for the night to come.
“He was so excited and so thrilled to be a part of this,” she said. “And when I say thrilled, I mean thrilled – he told me about 40 times.”
Learning through acting
Not only was the night about fun and entertainment – it was also a lesson in history for both students and visitors alike.
Geer-Ennist said that given the demographics of the Poughkeepsie City School District, the overall experience for students was significant.
“It gives the students pride in their culture because this school district is made up of a large percentage of African Americans, and so this gives them a sense of their history and culture, and of the struggle that African Americans had to go through to be where we are today,” she said. “It makes them very aware, as well as intrigued, so they want to learn more about that famous African American that they researched and the one their friend researched – it really broadens their horizons.”
Wallace also said that awareness of the past is important for students.
“It really gives them a vision of their history,” she said.
Jackson said that it was a not only a learning experience for the students but for her as well.
“It is significant in that so many times we hear names, and we don’t really know who they are or what that person did, but this really opens minds,” she said.
Galloway said that the museum was a great way to celebrate Black History Month.
“This is a very good thing for these kids to be doing, especially for Black History Month, and to learn about their culture and history.”
Dr. Carter G. Woodson, an black historian and pioneer in the topic of black history, is credited with founding “Negro History Week” in 1926, the predecessor to today’s month-long celebration of African American accomplishment and contribution. The week expanded into the entire month of February in 1976, chosen because it is the birth month of two figures prominent in the rampage against slavery and for civil rights – Abraham Lincoln (Feb. 12) and Frederick Douglass (Feb. 14).
The students’ hard work was also was a skill-enhancing experience, as they had to research, write, memorize and present a first-hand account of their individual.
Jackson said that the students’ practice of memorization skills for their recited narratives was important.
“This is great because it teaches them memorization skills, which are important in learning,” said Jackson.
Geer-Ennist said that there was also an emphasis on public speaking, as well as teamwork.
“It betters their public speaking skills, and it shows them how to work together,” she said.
The occasion, which also featured famous poetry and quotes read aloud by students, a rendition of “We Shall Overcome” and a hip-hop dance presentation by dance group M*Power, was additionally a fundraiser. Proceeds went to fund the students’ second grade end-of-year trip.
Galloway said that the togetherness and message from the event was inspirational.
“It gets everyone involved – parents, teachers, students. This world is getting so much worse, so this is great to see everyone coming together and getting involved.”
In addition to Geer-Ennist, Lisa Guzman was also a main coordinator of the event; other coordinators included Michelle Gemmell, Cheryl Hadzic, Andrea Moriarty, and Angela Tucker-Burns.