43
Robinwood students get Civil War lesson
Photo
Neighbors | EARTHA TERRELLRobinwood Lane Elemenrary School fourth-grade students ,from left, Darayla Murphy, Gianna Arquillia, and Julie Kimble pose while they learn about weapons during the school's Civil War reenactment June 6.
Photo
Ron Johnson dressed as Confederate soldier Nathaniel Bedford Forrest impressed students when he fired into the air during Robinwood Lane Elementary School's annual Civil Wat reenactment June 6.
Photo
Neighbors | EARTHA TERRELLCivil War reenactors ,from left, Dallas Wright, Ron Johnson, Bill Kwoler and Brandon Russo portrayed soldiers from the north and south during Robinwood Lane Elementary School's annual Civil War reenactment June 6.
Photo
Dallas Wright showed students how weapons were used during Robinwood Lane Elementary School's annual Civil War reenactment June 6.
By EARTHA TERRELL
Robinwood Lane Elementary fourth-grade students watched history come to life during the school’s annual Civil War reenactment June 6.
“To hear about history is one thing but to actually see it is another. The kids are always surprised when they feel the thick wool clothing. They just love it,” said fourth-grade teacher Jeanette Tamulonis.
Former student Brandon Russo, who now attends Boardman Glenwood Middle School, loved it so much he became a reenactor himself.
“It feels exciting and my heart starts to race. It actually feels like a real battle,” Russo said.
The reenactors told tales of what life was like for Civil War soldiers. They even gave students personal information about soldiers’ religious views, family and pets.
Ron Johnson, who portrayed confederate solider Lt. Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest, mesmerized his young audience with stories about his favorite horse named King Phillip.
“King Philip was an iron grey horse and he was mean. Whenever he saw someone in blue, his ears went up and he hissed,” Johnson said.
The reenactment gave students a new perspective on a time period in history, but also gave them an opportunity to see the value of community involvement.
“This school values community involvement. It makes them kinder people,” Tamulonis said.