Lake Wylie students put spotlight on African-American contributions

Students, parents, teachers and district leaders filled Crowders Creek Elementary School’s library throughout the day Feb. 29 to hear from Michelle Obama, Michael Jordan, Beyonce, Stevie Wonder, Serena Williams and other celebrities.

It was all part of the Black History Wax Presentation presented by 44 fourth and fifth grade students.

“During the course of the day, students share important achievements and contributions discovered from their research about notable African-Americans,” said school librarian Dorothy Guthrie. “Students have worked very hard to allow their work to reflect their interest in those men and women whose role was vital in contributing to various careers in America.

“They’re excited, parents are supportive, what more can you ask for?”

Following a musical greeting in the hallway by fellow students singing, class groups and parents would move through the library from figure to figure, all holding iPads with images of who they were representing, and presenting what they learned.

“I wanted to do a singer and saw Stevie Wonder,” said Megan Grohregin, fifth grader. She donned RealD 3-D glasses and a white button-up chorus shirt holding a microphone.

‘It’s really cool for people to act like wax figures and have classes come in and learn about the important people who do really cool stuff in their lifetime.”

Jack Robinson, fifth grader, looking like an aviator wearing a neighbor’s borrowed Air Force jacket stood ready to talk about Lt. Lee Rayford Jr. Robinson said he’s interested in learning about World War II and chose Rayford because he was a Tuskegee Airman.

“I learned before he joined, his family had a long history of serving,” Robinson said.

His hope is “people will know about someone they had never known before.”

Kaitlyn Dodson, also a fifth grader, learned U.S. Olympic gymnast Simone Biles hadn’t taken a class when she was spotted by a coach imitating gymnasts during a field trip.

“It was really fun to present,” Dodson said. “At first I was nervous, but after a few times, I mastered it and thought it was easy.”

Guthrie pointed out the inventor of the traffic light was Garrett Morgan, George Washington Carver was a scientist and inventor, and George Crum, African/Native American, made the first potato chip.

“I wanted them to understand the greatness of Americans whom we owe special recognition,” she said. “I have just been in awe all day. It’s just been amazing.”

Students walked away with more than history lessons and learning about aspiring people.

“I watched them blossom as they speak and develop confidence,” said library volunteer Jeannie Purvis said. “It’s not an easy task to speak in front of folks.”

Purvis asked students what they learned about themselves through the presentation process and chuckled at the response: “Standing in one place on your feet hurts.”

This story was originally published March 2, 2016 at 8:22 AM with the headline "Lake Wylie students put spotlight on African-American contributions."