Williamson students portray famous black Americans for Living History Museum

YOUNGSTOWN

President Barack Obama, Thurgood Marshall, Queen Latifah, Mahalia Jackson, Marcus Garvey and Colin Powell visited Williamson Elementary School — portrayed by students as part of the school’s first Living History Museum.

Fifth- and sixth-graders researched prominent African-Americans from throughout history and presented their findings to kindergartners through fourth-graders who filed through the cafeteria.

“In a couple of years, you’ll get to do that,” Principal Renee Foerster told the younger children.

“Awesome,” said one child.

“Cool,” added another.

Foerster said the presenters had three styles of dress to choose from for the event: as the figure they researched, in their school uniform or dressed up.

Fifth-grader Cy’renity Bowman, 10, wore a black suit, mirroring the style of Obama.

“He’s the president,” she said. “I wanted to learn more about him.”

Cy’renity learned that Obama earned good grades in school and played basketball and that he grew up poor but turned that around.

Keyona Damous, 11, also a fifth-grader, wore a long, black robe as Thurgood Marshall.

“Because I like him,” she said of her choice. “He was the first African-American to sit on the Supreme Court.”

Other students selected celebrities.

Read more about their choices in Saturday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.