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Lynn Kirk students take on famous roles
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In the hall of presidents, the country’s first president George Washington met with the current first family, Barack and Michelle Obama. The Lynn Kirk students impersonating them were Bishop Jackson (left), Kyle Keller, and Alyssa Riffle.
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Julia Child, or Emma Marek, was at the Lynn Kirk wax museum in her recognizable outfit of blue button-up shirt and pearls.
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Neighbors | Sarah Foor.Vincent Van Gogh, or Michael Remish, looked like he had a very persistent pain in his ear during the Lynn Kirk Wax Museum on May 24.
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In the hall of entertainers, Julie Andrews, Shania Twain, Celine Dion, and Dolly Parton did have any diva fights. In real life, the entertainers were, from left, Alexis Thomas, Kayley Owen, Lindsay Zublena, and Virginia Volpe.
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Anywhere but the Lynn Kirk wax museum, it would be odd to see Aristotle and Mother Teresa casually hanging out. When not in character, friends Parker Burton (left) and Shianne Bigelow chatted with each other about very wise subjects.
By SARAH FOOR
In Lynn Kirk’s all-purpose room on May 24, it wasn’t out of the ordinary to see Mother Theresa and Aristotle chatting, or Michelle and Barack Obama and George Washington saying hello to one another.
There was no time machine or magic involved in the odd pairings — it was the second-grade Wax Museum project that brought the notable figures of history together.
The museum project has been an annual event at the school for the last 20 years. Some aspects of the day haven’t changed, like the requirements that each student write a report and memorize a speech on their famous subject, and wear a costume of their subject to the event.
However, teachers Kristin Haviaich, Kim Miller, and Tami Franklin have streamlined the process with a few new ideas. Instead of fold-out science boards, the students’ reports are now displayed on pizza boxes which help save space. The event is also organized by certain subjects, including a hall of presidents, historical figures and entertainers.
Haviaich said the aim of the project is to help each student learn about a wealth of important people.
“The subject for each student is picked randomly, which gives the kids a chance to find out about someone completely new. While it is about appreciating our history, as a teacher, it’s also great to see the kids become confident and assured speakers by practicing their speeches.”
For the students, it was fun to learn some interesting new facts.
“Michelle Obama is passionate about getting kids healthy, which is really cool,” shared first lady impersonator Alyssa Riffle.
Riffle’s “husband,” or impersonator Kyle Keller looking presidential as Barack Obama, learned something that astounded him.
“Obama doesn’t like ice cream! Isn’t that the craziest thing you’ve ever heard?” Keller asked.