WS Chronicle

BY TIMOTHY RAMSEY 

THE CHRONICLE

People have come to celebrate Black History Month in new and unique ways. The students of Carter High School highlighted the month by holding a “Living Wax Museum” where the students would dress up as a historic or current African-American figure of their choice.

This is the second year of the wax museum and was created by teacher Leshan Cunningham.  She says she wanted to do something like this for quite some time, so when the opportunity presented itself, she jumped at it.

Carter High School is for special needs students.

“We do this so that our kids can not only do research but to also have their shining moment,” Cunningham said.  “We invite family, friends and people in the community to come and see what the kids have done.  They did the research, they put the boards together and they will be doing all of the speaking.”

The kids stood in front of their poster boards that they prepared and gave a brief history of their chosen African-American figure whenever someone dropped a coin in the box by their presentation.

Carter’s Principal Donna Horton-Berry says she is happy that the kids are able to have this type of experience and hopes this will spark their interest to dive more into African-American history in the future.

“The students get to perform and they are happy to perform,” Horton-Berry went on to say.  “In preparation, they researched, created costumes and created a display. They get to learn about the richness of African-American history and carry that forward.”

Amir Ritter, Carter High student, chose Will Smith as his figure for the wax museum.  He says his favorite part of the project was he was able to dress up and learn more about Smith.  He says he worked very hard on the project and he later recited part of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech.

Dr. Gwendolyn Johnson-Green, director of Alternate Education for Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools, says she has seen many Black History Month projects over the years but this is one of the best.  She said she was excited with the effort the kids put forth.

“This is so exciting, creative and innovative and a grand learning experience for the students,” Johnson-Green said.  “This is developing positive relationships with the students and teachers.  I am really encouraged, motivated and excited to have seen this for myself.  The interaction with the students has been a pleasure.”

Along with having their characters, the students also prepared an “underground railroad” leading into the gymnasium as well as having mock safe houses.

Cunningham says she is most pleased with the perseverance and joy the kids exhibited during the project.  She said the kids were nervous but once someone tells them how good they performed, the smile on their faces makes her feel great.