The sixth grade blue team of Suffield Middle School presented its wax museum program on the morning of February 15, and most of the students took the concept to heart, standing motionless at their displays. When a visitor tapped on the table, the “wax” figure came to life, reciting from memory a substantial autobiographical summary about the notable person being portrayed. Brief conversations with the visitor often followed. The middle school has been doing this for several years, and the program is delightfully impressive.
Abraham Lincoln is always present, plus other more recent presidents, famous scientists, sports figures, prominent business men, and lots more, from many centuries of history. Among others, this year the choices included Walt Disney, Helen Keller, Henry Ford, Michelle Obama, Daniel Boone, Albert Einstein, Doris Day, Babe Ruth, two Rosie the Riveters, three Jackie Robinsons, and Ruby Bridges (the first African-American child to attend an all-white public elementary school in the American South).
When the first period ended, most of the visiting adults left and the White Team came in, armed with clipboards, to interview the Blue Team performers and fill out evaluation sheets. The teams’ roles were to be reversed on the following morning. The wax museum seems like a great way to help the kids learn history and practice several valuable skills.
Bobby Padykula portrayed another Bobby, looking very much like his subject. His recitation included some of Kennedy’s great, Martin-Luther-King-style lines.
Jade Perez assembled a chain mail costume for her representation of Joan of Arc. She told a good story of her heroine’s exploits
Jacob Carroll gave away Hershey kisses as he spoke of Milton Hershey and his chocolate business in Hershey, Penn.
Daniel Gleason made a commanding figure as Maj. General Joshua Chamberlain, who commanded the 20th Maine Volunteer Infantry Regiment in the Civil War and received the medal of honor for his gallantry at Gettysburg.
Jake Lamberti captured the spirit of Steve Jobs, including the stubble and serious demeanor.
Members of the sixth grade White Team, Calli Pock and Bethany Richardson, left and center, interview Anika Gustafson of the Blue Team, who portrayed Rosie the Riveter, a symbolic character from the Second World War.