BLACK HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATED

Wax museum at Elm Street Elementary showcases prominent African American historical figures

Elm Street Elementary School in Painesville celebrated Black History Month in a special way.

Students, staff, parents and community members filled the gym on Feb. 27 for the school’s first African American Wax Museum.

“I wanted this event to bring our community together,” said paraprofessional Donna Link, who was instrumental in organizing the initiative. “So, I asked about doing something for Black History Month for our kids and for our community. It’s good to get the parents out to see what we are doing at Elm Street Elementary.”

Link said there was an overwhelming amount of support from the students, staff and community.

“It took off bigger than we expected,” she said.

Tara Belisle, who helped organize the event, also was surprised by the participation.

“It was completely voluntary,” said Belisle, who is a fourth-grade teacher. “At first, I was just going to do my class, but we decided to open it to the entire fourth grade. We thought we would only get about 15 students, but 42 students signed up.”

Furthermore, the students had to give up their recess and free time to research and practice presenting.

“They were excited about it,” she said. “They learned a lot through researching and preparing for the event.”

Each student portrayed a notable and influential African American.

One of the students, Audrianna Bolin, portrayed Link.

Bolin said she selected Link because she makes a difference in the community and changes lives forever.

Other presentations included Wilt Chamberlain, Jesse Owens, Aretha Franklin, Will Smith, Michelle Obama, Malcolm X, Oprah Winfrey, Rosa Parks, Muhammad Ali, Maya Angelou, Mae Jemison, Barack Obama, George Washington Carver, Frederick Douglass and Jackie Robinson.

“This was a great opportunity for students to learn about the people in history that we don’t always hear about,” said Belisle. “Elm Street is so diverse and we have to celebrate our diversity.”

Samantha Rodriguez said she chose Mae Jemison because she is a brave and beautiful woman.

Harvey High School Choir also performed “Lift Every Voice and Sing”, “Everybody Clap Your Hands”, “Witness” and “Nda Wana”, a traditional South African song.

Elm Street Elementary Principal Cindy Urbic said the event was a success.

“It just blossomed,” Urbic said. “It was beautiful seeing everyone working and coming together.”

TAWANA ROBERTS — THE NEWS-HERALD TaYon Fuller portrays Barack Obama at the Elm Street Elementary School African American History Wax Museum on Feb. 27.

TAWANA ROBERTS — THE NEWS-HERALD Elm Street Elementary School fourth-grader Audrianna Bolin portrays Donna Link, a paraprofessional, during the African American Wax Museum on Feb. 27.

TAWANA ROBERTS — THE NEWS-HERALD Samantha Rodriguez portrays Mae Jemison at the Elm Street Elementary School African American History Wax Museum on Feb. 27.