History Students Get Into Character

Halloween provided children at Mesa Verde Middle School an excuse to dress up for the annual “Historical Figure Day.”

On Friday, each history student in the sixth through eighth grade wrote a report, gave a speech and dressed like the historical figure of his choice.

“It’s a way for them to get in touch with at least one person from the era we’re studying,’ said eighth-grade history teacher Mike Winters. “They’ve been doing it in each grade, so by the time they get to the eighth grade they’ve pretty much got it down.”

Speaking in character, each student stood in front of their history class, and with camcorder rolling and the teacher taking notes, explained why he or she should be remembered.

Girls chose figures ranging from Shirley Temple to Pocahontas. Boys favored military figures, especially those from World War II. Generals George Patton and George Marshall, as well as fighter pilot Hubert Zemke, populated Winter’s second-period history class.

Teacher Mike Winters, a Moorpark history buff, came as Robert Warren Poindexter, one of the city’s founders.

Winters said his students always rise to the occasion for Historical Figure Day.

“They really produce,” he said. “They always do a good job.”