MES second graders portray American heroes
Staff writer
Neil Armstrong was adamant.
He wasn't about to talk about himself unless spectators visiting the "American Heroes Living Museum" pressed the appropriate button.
However, once the button was pressed, the famous Apollo astronaut — a.k.a. Wiley Lundy, a second grade student in Michelle Adkins' class at Marion Elementary — was more than happy to tell those gathered everything he had learned about the first man to walk on the moon.
Wiley, along with 54 other second graders attending MES, participated in the "American Heroes Living Museum," Thursday afternoon in the school's gym.
The "museum" was filled as parents, grandparents, friends and siblings of the "heroes" turned out to view the displays.
Something of a "living" wax museum, the students portrayed famous Americans ranging from current times back to the early years of American history. Wearing costumes — which they create from items at home, students stand next to a poster that chronicles information about the individual they are portraying. When visitors walk by and press the button, the student then takes on the role of the individual, telling about the hero's life.
The living museum is the culminating activity for the second grade unit on American heroes, explained instructors Lynette Jost and Shannon Britt.
The teachers assign each student a hero to study. The students are then directed to come up with a costume which resembles their particular American hero.
All work on the American hero unit is done at home, and is completed over a 2 1/2 week period, the teachers said.
The American heroes portrayed ran the gamut from astronaut Armstrong, to former presidents Dwight D. Eisenhower and George Washington, to Jacqueline Kennedy and Susan B. Anthony, to name just a few.
The living museum is held every two years, teachers said.
