By Kaitlyn Kanzler, Special Writer
MONROE — History came to life for several fourth-graders and their parents at Applegarth Elementary School on Feb. 28.
Cindy Hills’s fourth-grade class gave oral presentations of famous Americans as part of its social studies curriculum.
”I had the children focus on famous, historical figures of America, not just a biographical person who is famous for sports or acting, but people who made history in the United States,” Ms. Hills said.
According to Ms. Hills, her students have made the presentations for the last 18 years.
Some of the famous Americans included Henry Ford, John F. Kennedy, Rachel Carson and Eleanor Roosevelt.
”I think it’s really an important project and learning experience for the children because we have such a diverse community here, (and they) are not familiar with the founding fathers,” Ms. Hills said.
According to Ms. Hills, the students had to read a biography of their famous person and learn about them to be able to portray them for the presentation.
”When they do the research, and they learn more about these figures, then it becomes a whole new experience for them,” Ms. Hills said. “So rather them focus on someone like Elvis Presley, I’d rather them learn about Benjamin Franklin or John Glenn the astronaut, or anyone, modern or long ago, who contributed.”
According to Areeba Zafar, who portrayed Hillary Clinton, their class made a special trip to the library so the students could choose the famous Americans they wanted to learn about.
”(Hillary Clinton) really inspired me,” Areeba said. “She wanted to change the world.”
Peter Angelo said he chose Davy Crockett after a family trip to the Alamo in Texas.
”The best part for me was getting to wear the hat I got at the Alamo,” Peter said. “I already knew about the Alamo so I wanted to do Davy Crockett.”
According to Zarmina Yousafzai, she was really interested in her famous American, Amelia Earhart.
”I wanted to learn more about her,” Zarmina said.
Parents were invited to watch their children give the presentations in the lunchroom auditorium, and according to Ms. Hills, this is only the second time something has been performed on the stage at Applegarth since the school reopened in September.
”It’s more of a community event with parents and grandparents coming,” Ms. Hills said. “It’s kind of nerve-wracking to put (themselves) up on a stage, and everyone’s looking at you.”
But according to Ms. Hills, it is a good practice in oral presentations.
”It’s good for them to be able to start now to get used to talking to an audience because it’s not an easy thing to do,” Ms. Hills said.
For Peter’s mom, Jeanette Angelo, this was her second time seeing one of her children portraying a famous American. Her older son was previously in Ms. Hills’s class and also did a famous American presentation.
”(Peter) loves getting involved with the things Ms. Hills presents to the class to do,” Ms. Angelo said. “Ms. Hills is great.”
According to Ms. Angelo, Peter loved being able to research and go to the library to learn more about his American.
Ms. Hills said the students have several exciting things to look forward to for the rest of the year, but she said she wants to keep them a secret for now.
Applegarth Elementary originally was the middle school for Monroe Township for many years before fourth- and fifth-graders were moved from the Oak Tree School to Applegarth due to increased enrollment.

