Dressed as patriots from different periods of American history, Providence Christian School Class Four students saw history come alive as they celebrated Patriot Day on April 22. Throughout April, each student presented a report on an American patriot. Students also heard from special speakers who spoke about World War II, 9/11, Navy Seals, and other events in American history.
The day began with Modern Day Patriots. First, two FBI agents discussed what the FBI does and brought their equipment including a bullet-proof vest, helmet with night scope, gun, and gas mask. After that, a Secret Service agent explained how the agency was created to stop the spread of counterfeit money; however, as times changed, the agency became best known for providing security detail for U.S. presidents and key dignitaries.
In the Civil War Room, several key historic figures visited. President Abraham Lincoln (Whit Roberts) and Mary Todd Lincoln (Jen Griffin) discussed how the war divided the people. Harriet Beecher Stowe (Jeanie Cox), an abolitionist best known for writing Uncle Tom’s Cabin, addressed how slavery was wrong. Jefferson Davis, a politician, and his wife, Varina Davis, (David and Lisa-Adelle O’Brien) expounded on his life as president of the Confederate States of America during the Civil War. Clara Barton (Shanin Wilburn), a teacher and a nurse who founded the American Red Cross, reported on how she risked her life to provide supplies and medical help to soldiers on or near the battlefield. Asa Longstreet, a general in Robert E. Lee's Army, and his wife Mae, who held down the farm, shared their experiences (David and Barrett Ball). Known as the first Southern Belle, Lucy Holcombe Pickens (Kelly Woods), discussed life as a socialite. Even Gone with the Wind’s Melanie Hamilton Wilkes (Lesley Ooley) made an appearance!
Meanwhile in the World War II room, Class Four students watched an interview taped by John Hendry Jordan of a soldier who survived the Battle of the Bulge. Providence mothers, Billye Turner and Shelby Smith, discussed victory gardens and civilian life during the war. A medic (Susan Hamman), with the help of student volunteers, demonstrated care given to the wounded on the battlefield and gave some interesting facts about medics and WWII medicine. “Mrs. War Planes” (Shirley Mechem) talked about the various artifacts, while Rosie the Riveter (Juliette Coulter) explained how she assembled guns for the war effort. Students experienced an air raid siren; these sirens were typical during the war. Finally, students viewed a movie clip of the 1945 Japanese surrender to General Douglas MacArthur.
As students entered the American Inventions room, they were greeted by Albert Einstein who explained several of his inventions. Students then deciphered Morse code, had a bubble gum blowing contest, and reviewed inventions of the last century.
During lunch, “Bing Crosby” (John Heinrich) and the “Andrew Sisters” (Kristen Roberts, Sharon Mumert, and Kate Cochran) serenaded everyone. Providence Librarian, Sue Netherland, and her husband, J.R. Netherland, demonstrated the jitterbug, and then taught the children this popular American dance.
The day concluded with students competing by class in Patriot Games including the military crawl, mine area, hand grenade toss, parachute jump, velocity run, fatigue relay, and sprint to the finish.
Since 1989, Providence Christian School of Texas has provided academically able students from preschool to 8th grade with a challenging educational experience designed to help them know, love, and practice that which is true, good, and excellent, and to prepare them to live purposefully and intelligently in the service of God and man. Providence’s core values are faith, family, intellect, counterculturalism, and stewardship. More information about the School can be found by calling 214-302-2800 or by visiting www.pcstx.org.