History lesson

School wax museum spotlights diverse group.

By: Josh Appelbaum
   Prominent voices from history were brought to life Wednesday as students passed through a not-so-typical wax museum.
   Seventh-graders portrayed figures as diverse as atomic scientist Robert J. Oppenheimer, President Ronald Reagan, Indian social reformer Pandurang Shashtri Athavale and actor Angelina Jolie as part of a project that had students research a famous person for a term paper.
   The students then assumed the roles of their subjects and talked about their lives.
   Judith Ulinsky, a seventh-grade English teacher, has been putting on the event for more than 20 years. The event requires students to focus on people who have made a positive contribution to the world.
   About 75 students brought to life just as many admirable people, highlighting leaders in seven categories, including leaders of science and industry, innovators, politicians, actors and musicians, sports heroes, figures that changed history and famous women.
   The seven groups played to audiences of about a dozen students from other grade levels, rotating to different stations in the old gymnasium every 15 minutes.
   The museum exhibit was offered Tuesday night for parents and Wednesday for students.
   Ms. Ulinsky said the wax museum allows students to flex various intellectual muscles.
   "It covers writing, social studies and gives them the opportunity to do research and helps them practice public speaking," Ms. Ulinsky said.
   Ms. Ulinsky said the students’ choices reflect their interests, upbringing and heritage.
   "Each year, as the community becomes more diverse, the characters become more diverse," Ms. Ulinsky said. "With the Internet and things like (search engine) NetTrekker, they have much better access to information on a wider range of people."
   She said younger students look forward to the wax museum project and think about whom they’ll profile in the future. Cranbury School graduates retain interest in the event as well.
   "Some former students came to the event last night," Ms. Ulinsky said Wednesday. "I asked them if they still remember who they were for the wax museum and they said that not only do they remember who they were, but could still recite their speech."
   Scott Schwarz, who researched Adolph Dassler, the co-founder of sporting goods corporation Adidas, dressed in the company’s signature triple stripes and imparted some interesting information on the German sportsman.
   "He started the company in Germany with his brother, Rudolph, who broke off and started Puma," Scott said. "The company got its name because Adolph’s nickname was ‘Adi’ and he took the first three letters of his last name."
   Jennifer Conover, who was outfitted in a dark blue NASA jumpsuit, said she chose Sally Ride because of her trailblazing ways.
   "She wasn’t just the first woman in space," Jennifer said. "She really encourages women to go into science and technology and works in organizations that benefit kids."
   Although Jennifer said she isn’t sure about her future career, she admires Ms. Ride for her many accomplishments.
   "She isn’t just famous for being an astronaut, she’s also a doctor," she said.