I Met The President! Ok, technically it was my Sweet Boy dressed up as President William H. Taft.
I Met The President
Every year the entire fourth grade creates a wax museum. The children are given a list of names of individuals who were either born, raised or positively influenced the state of Arizona. Now I have to tell you that Sweet Boy is a little like Alex P. Keaton.
Even though the list contained several notable actors, sports figures and his favorite director, Sweet Boy’s number one choice was President Taft. Let’s just say he didn’t have to fight anyone for the right. The boy can tell you everything you ever wanted to know about Taft (and several other presidents as well).
The children have to create a backboard and write/memorize a 30-second speech on the individual and their relationship with the state of Arizona. They have a button drawn on their hand and when “pushed” they recite their speech.
Most of the children also dress as their characters. You find such notables as:
Sandra Day O’Connor
Rex Allen
Keri Strug
Kurt Warner
Native American hero Lori Piestewa
Lynda Carter
For all the Twihard Fans:
As well as a very shy John Wayne.
There were many, many more kids. The entire cafeteria was transformed into a huge wax museum. Sweet Boy occasionally stopped to check that his mustache was still in place.
Indeed he obsessed about his entire costume for weeks. He had to get everything just right. Even down to the pocket watch. Luckily, his great grandfather Wescott was a very patriotic man as well. His watch featured the Statue of Liberty on one side…
… and the American eagle on the other. 
The entire family came to watch his performance.
When someone would question him about Taft being our largest President Sweet Boy would push out his stomach and say “Yes, it was true.”
Yes, Sweet Boy took his part very seriously. Sometimes I can’t believe he’s only 10.
Who’s your favorite president?
Laura
That's one of the most adorable Presidents ever, on your blog today! All of his classmates did such amazing work recreating the costumes and making such great displays about famous people from your state. What a smart class and what a fun way to learn. Thank you for sharing all the fun.
Hope things are going better today and you are seeing some light at the end of the tunnel. I was going to leave a message yesterday but it either sounded too 'get on with it' or 'there, there, it will be alright'. I just could seem to get it worded right. Just wanted to let you know I am thinking of you and hope you find your new home soon. Maybe you need a new agent…??!?
Take care! {{{Hugs}}}
Wow!!! What an AWESOME thing the school does!! I loveeeeeeeeeeee it!!!! I love all the photos and President Taft is looking quite dashing!!!!
What fun way to learn about your state!! And I'm sure sweet boy was terrific!!
chris
A creative, fun and educational event for all. Children never cease to amaze me – in a positive way.
Mr President looks might like your husband Laura.
Warm wishes
How flipping cute! I know you are so proud. I can remember my girls when they were in their fifth grade wax museum…the oldest was Queen Victoria, and the youngest was Marie Laveau, Voodoo Queen of New Orleans!
The characters each suited the girls' personalities!
That is a cool project! I love the wax museum idea. And Sweet Boy is just darling – as always!
Laura,
You know I adore Sweet Boy Gunn. He and the Little Man (who are the same age) would get along fabulously. What a creative way for children to do biography reports! Sweet Boy makes a wonderful Taft. One of my favorite presidents is Theodore Roosevelt.
Your Friend who is still smiling for you,
Deborah
FairfieldHouseNJ.com
What a great project! Sort of like a living museum! I had no idea President Taft was from Arizona or had anything to do with the state – must look him up!
Sweet Boy did a good job!
Hope and pray things are looking up, or will soon!
i have such fond memories of my sons and the wax museum–i loved every minute of that stuff.
what a great taft he made!
i'm related to pres. buchanan so i think i'll have to pick him!
michele
Just in case you don't know, your sweet boy has some good teachers that know how to make learning fun. It looks like a fun activity for everyone involved, including the parents!
great post! i remember this unit. such fun for the kids and a real learning experience. your little guy was right on it. love his facial expressions… and shy john wayne is a great photo. good job 4th graders 🙂
Clever to pick someone not everyone is so familiar with any more. He looks great, down to the mustache and pocketwatch. Sounds like a fun event.
What a doll!
You should post his speech.
Favorite? Washington
What a great project!!!
Your son looking quite dashing all dressed up with a mustache.
My favorite president is Ronald Reagan.
Your Sweet Boy just brings tears to my eyes. I can see his sweet heart.
He did an AMAZING job. Nice details with the watch. That was a wonderful school project.
Warmly,
deb
What a cutie he is at that! Such cute and fun pics. Thanks for sharing. Hugs and blessings, Cindy
Oh, Laura he's wonderful! I love this project – all of the children's efforts show through,
Kathy
HI!!
OH SWEET BOY….you are a BOY after MY OWN HEART!!!!I WOULD have chosen the PRES too….I adore American History…and he played the perfect TAFT!!!!!
Good JOB!!!!ALL the kids looked so cute and what a great idea!!!
Hugs,
jamie
Praise God for your 11th hour miracle!!
Totally cute! He looks great!!!
President Taft looks quite dashing in his handlebar mustache! I love this sort of assignment. Our youngest daughter dressed up as Madame Curie when she was his age — 18 years ago! Good educational projects never go out of style. What great memories Sweet Boy is making!
Laura how great your son is! he amazes me with his intelligence and sense of humor as well!! Neat that history is one of his interests!
By the way darling dress you are wearing!!
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
Oh my gosh, Laura. This is a fabulous idea, and President Taft is of course the favorite.
I confess to being a bit like that when I was his age, too.
A future president maybe?? 🙂 What a fun event! Good luck with your move, I know it is trying. Sending good vibes your way!
What a brilliant kid. Not boring at all. I don't think I could be a mom, because if I had a kid like yours, I'd be laughing at all the other kids, and politically speaking , would be an outcast at all the PTA meetings.
He's adorable!!! And the costume is perfection 🙂 And that is so cool he's into history. My husband, a huge history buff, would be over the moon, wiping happy tears 😀
Well my favorite president is the future President Sweetboy, of course! What a wonderful, clever project for the kids to participate in. I love a teacher that can make a subject come alive for her students. Ann
Handsomest President Taft I've ever seen!