Figures come to life at Wax Museum

Isabella Karrip, 10, left, spoke about the life of Mother Teresa as she played the nun during the, "Wax Museum" event at Maplewood Elementary School.

With the push of the play button, historical figures in music, politics, sports and literature came to life at the Maplewood Elementary Wax Museum.

With her head down, and feather quill pen in hand, Sylvania resident Leah McKarus, 9, stood motionless waiting. Then someone pressed play, and her mini-live movie began. She was playing Louisa May Alcott, the American author who penned Little Women.

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Above her head was a pictorial timeline, highlighting important dates in Alcott’s life. Leah informed viewers on her life and neat details that revealed the novelist’s playful personality, such as the time she jumped in the pond, and was severely scolded for it afterward.

“I thought she was interesting. She was a nurse in the Civil War, and adventurous and mischievous,” said Leah.

The fourth grade students of Maplewood Elementary, 6769 Maplewood Drive, each chose a historical or prominent figure in today’s society to depict at the Wax Museum Thursday. Lining the school’s hallways were Mother Teresa, Martin Luther King, Vera Wang, and Tiger Woods.

The assignment combined the literature arts of writing, public speaking, and reporting said fourth grade teacher Jan Wicker. She and teachers Sandy Bourland, and Sara Lievens coordinated the project for the students that also had a visual artistic touch. Students created props, costumes, and designed their historical chart with decals and other colorful details.

Sylvania resident Ella Freeman, 10, said this project was one of the hardest things she has ever done.

“You have to perform in front of a ton of people,” she said. A child stopped by to her Ella play the “Queen of Jazz” Ella Fitzgerald.

The children were also excited about the project said Mrs. Wicker, because they chose the person whom they played. And that included many sports figures.

Anthony Turek, 9, had a white T-shirt decorated with a stars and stripes emblem that athlete Jim Thorpe wore. Thorpe was the first Native American athlete to play in the Olympics, and that achievement caught Anthony’s eye. Anthony told viewers how Thorpe also played professional football and baseball.

Through the museum, that lasted from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., guests and more importantly the school’s student body learned about 60 figures who had an impact on American history.

Contact Natalie Trusso Cafarello at: 419-206-0356 or ntrusso@theblade.com.