Walnut Creek Third Graders Stage Living Wax Museum, Raise Funds
Walnut Creek Elementary third grade revived its living wax museum on November 14, with students dressing and speaking as historical and contemporary figures while inviting families and classmates to visit. The event combines presentation skills practice with fundraising and civic awareness, and typically raises between $300 and $400 for a charity chosen by the students.
On November 14 Walnut Creek Elementary third grade returned its living wax museum, a student driven presentation event in which children dress as and speak for notable historical and cultural figures. Third grade teacher Tonya Widder opened the classroom to families and other students, and visitors moved from exhibit to exhibit donating quarters at each presentation. The activity typically raises between $300 and $400, money which the students decide to give to a charitable purpose.
Students portrayed a wide range of figures across history and popular culture. Examples included Helen Keller, Sacagawea, Taylor Swift, Queen Elizabeth II, Annie Oakley, Amelia Earhart, Kobe Bryant, Harriet Tubman, Stan Lee, Princess Diana, Tom Brady, Dolly Parton, P.T. Barnum, Henry Ford, Ariana Grande, Laura Ingalls Wilder, Simone Biles, Julia Child and Jackie Robinson. Each student delivered a short biography and answered questions from visitors, giving parents and peers a chance to witness research work and public speaking in a classroom setting.
Teachers and school leaders highlighted the practical learning goals embedded in the event. Presenting as a historical or contemporary figure requires research, synthesis and clear oral delivery, skills that map directly to curriculum standards for communication and social studies. Educators noted that the museum format supports student confidence and gives third graders a concrete opportunity to practice public speaking in front of a supportive audience.
The event also encourages civic awareness and community engagement. By collecting quarters at each exhibit and directing proceeds to a charity of their choosing, students experience fundraising principles and civic decision making on a small, tangible scale. For local families this means a direct link between school learning and community impact, with modest but meaningful funds flowing to local or broader nonprofit efforts chosen by the class.
For Holmes County residents the living wax museum is a reminder of the role elementary schools play in both academic development and neighborhood life. The event brings families into the school, showcases classroom work, and creates a shared experience that reinforces the value of public speaking and historical literacy at an early age. As teachers emphasize presentation skills and research methods in the coming months, activities like the living wax museum will continue to serve as a visible measure of student growth and community involvement.
