Second-graders complete their biography projects by becoming famous people for a day
Cara Spilsbury
TOPSFIELD | Like paparazzi to a red carpet event, families flocked to the Steward School recently to catch a glimpse of some famous faces. The cafeteria quickly became standing room only, as the audience, its members armed with digital cameras, was entertained by a bevy of stars that made the Hollywood Walk of Fame look like your average cracked city sidewalk.
Tiger Woods was able to make an appearance, as were Queen Elizabeth, Thomas Jefferson, Ted Williams, Neil Armstrong, Mother Theresa and even another Tiger Woods.
And another Neil Armstrong.
And two more Thomas Jeffersons.
Cameras flashed from every corner of the venue, capturing every athlete, president, humanitarian, scientist, musician, author and inventor who graced the stage.
The crowd in the cafe couldn't have cared less that the "famous" people before them weren't the real deal. In fact, they were better. They were their second-grade children, siblings, grandchildren and friends.
The presentation was the culmination of the second grade's social studies unit on biographies, where they learned how to research and write a report. Despite the pre-performance jitters, each child had their first taste of stardom as they recited a short quip into a microphone about the famous person they had become. To fully complete the transformation, each child was dressed like their subject. Some sported beards like Abe Lincoln, wigs like Beethoven and even some extra padding to become pudgy baseball legend Babe Ruth.
Eight-year-old Marissa Berry, from Michelle Costa's second-grade class, channeled Sacagawea for her presentation, the Shoshone woman who accompanied Lewis and Clark on their expedition into the West.
"I chose her because her name sounded interesting," said Marissa, clad in a tawny, suede dress, her hair done in long plaits. "And I wanted to learn about Indians."
One thing that surprised Marissa during her studies, she said, was that she once had to trek 4,500 miles with her baby on her back. Marissa then giggled, thinking about the plastic baby doll she had strapped to her costume.
"My baby fell off on stage," she said.
Daniel Frasca, an 8-year-old from Lynn Clark's class, chose to become Walt Disney. He came to school dressed in a suit and tie, clutching a stuffed Mickey Mouse.
"He won 32 Oscars," Daniel said, proud of his research.
But what made him pick the legendary man behind the world's largest cartoon empire?
