House of Wax

FRANKLIN-Imagine a day when you can meet three Helen Kellers, five Abraham Lincolns, two Tony Hawks, and three Susan B. Anthonys. Not to mention Nelson Mandella, Vincent VanGogh, Dan Marino, and Cleopatra. Parents and students at Franklin Elementary School were welcomed to the first Biography Wax Museum, as third graders portrayed their favorite characters from life and history. The halls were decorated by other participating classes as a museum, and visitors were welcomed with the strains of Bach and Mozart by a wind ensemble. The collaborative effort by Sandy Bargiel, the school's librarian, and teachers Diane Veldran, Karen Borek, Jaime Dipple, and Susan Koepplinger, involved the children first reading the biographies, selecting the highlights of those lives, and making costumes appropriate to the individuals. The selections run the gamut from famous sports figures, historical female and male figures, and present day political notables. Each student was required to write a one-minute speech about their selection, and when visitors stepped on the big red dot in front of each of the "statues," the wax figure became activated. The third graders took their roles seriously, as they maintained their statue poses with the intensity of the British guard at Whitehall. Eyes fixed and with nary a movement of a finger, they came to life only at the touch of their buttons. Most had lofty, idealistic reasons for their choices. Justine Dignardi selected Cleopatra because, "She was a queen, and I really like fairy tales and princesses, so I chose to be her." Heather Forgie was Betsy Ross because, "I wanted to choose a woman. Once I saw Betsy Ross, I knew I wanted to be her." Miranda Hnyda chose Jackie Robinson because she is on a baseball team, and because he was the first black player in the major leagues. The upper grade special art class, with the guidance of Amanda Eber, created pillars, bust statues, and banners to help turn the third-grade hall into the Wax Museum. Music teachers Judy Gutlerner and Carol Cervino, along with teacher Diane Brown, played instrumental music in the entrance hall, adding to the museum ambiance. The project was completed in a four-week time span, and the unqualified success of this year's first wax museum promises that there will be a second in what is planned to be an annual affair. For more photos, visit www.Advertiser-News.com