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ROSS TWP. — With her hair in ringlets and wearing a pretty dress and black patent leather shoes, fifth-grader Sarah Jubis sat with her head down until someone pressed a red sticker on her hand.

Jubis slowly lifted her curly head and said, “I am Shirley Temple. I appeared in over 40 movies. I was the United States Ambassador to Ghana.”

Jubis and nearly 60 of her classmates did their best to replicate the images of a historic or pop icons for the second annual Education Exploration and Art Around the World exhibit at Ross Elementary School in Sweet Valley Thursday.

The public was invited to attend and learn about history and as well as art, said Selena Mazzella, an art teacher at the elementary school.

“The event is a community event to bring everyone together,” she said.

Student artwork portrayed cultures from around the world hung in the halls. Egyptian hieroglyphics to Aboriginal dot paintings were eye catching and became conversation pieces between teachers, students and families.

“Education Exploration is meant to be like a wax museum come to life,” Mazzella said.

Fifth- and sixth-grade students worked on research projects for weeks leading up to the event, said Melissa Jarnot, a fifth-grade teacher.

“They had to research a person and write a report,” Jarnot said. “Then they had to put together a poster about their person and memorize three facts.”

The range of people the students researched was varie. The subjects included, Cleopatra, Madonna, Marilyn Monroe, Henry Ford, Steve Jobs, Mozart, Malcolm X, Helen Keller and Bill Gates to name a few.

Students dressed in costume and sat by their posters. Each child had a red sticker that said “Press.” When you did, the students came to “life.”

Fifth-grader Landon Schuckers was Thomas Edison. When his button was pushed, he talked about how he once owned a cement factory.

“I love (the event),” said Tara Leahy, a parent. “The students really stayed in character. There is a whole variety of historical figures. I learned about two (women) abolitionists from the south. I never knew they existed.”

Ross Elementary School student, Conner Kubiski, 10, portrays Neil Armstrong during the second annual Education Exploration Thursday night at Ross Elementary School. Lucas Barlet, 6, passes by Kubiski’s exhibit.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/web1_TTL0501316ross1-2.jpg.optimal.jpgRoss Elementary School student, Conner Kubiski, 10, portrays Neil Armstrong during the second annual Education Exploration Thursday night at Ross Elementary School. Lucas Barlet, 6, passes by Kubiski’s exhibit. Aimee Dilger | Times Leader

Ross Elementary School fifth-grader Sierra Vogan pretends to be George Washington and tells Jacob and Sydney Mock, ages 4 and 6, facts about the former U.S. president.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/web1_TTL0501316ross2-2.jpg.optimal.jpgRoss Elementary School fifth-grader Sierra Vogan pretends to be George Washington and tells Jacob and Sydney Mock, ages 4 and 6, facts about the former U.S. president. Aimee Dilger | Times Leader
Children at Ross Elementary School assume roles of historic figures

By Eileen Godin

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Reach Eileen Godin at 570-991-6387 or on Twitter @TLNews.