Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Stories brought to life...
N
By EMILY WEAVER
Editor
Once upon a time within the
brick walls of a simple gymna-
sium at Grover Elementary
omething spectacular hap-
pened. Storybook characters of all
ales imaginable stepped off of their
pages and went on parade.
Stories were brought to life Fri-
day morning during the school’s an-
nual Book Character Dress Up Day.
JOYCE PRESSLEY This year, as hundreds watched
: from the four walls of the gym, stu-
dents and faculty conjured their favorite characters to come
forth as they transformed into the stories they love.
Valdemort from the Harry Potter series, Hannah Mon-
tana, Judie B. Jones, Thomas the train, Old McDonald, Cap-
tain Underpants, Darth Vador and more paraded through the
Media Coordinator Kim Duckworth, who created and or-
ganizes the special day each year, said that they had 100 per-
cent participation in the Book Character Dress Up event on
Friday.
“Even if a child did not wear a costume, they carried a
book and prop that identified a character from that book,”
she said.
“Probably the most original (character) was (brought to
life by) Izrael Martinez,” she said. “He came dressed as a
bathtub (from the book ‘Waves in the Bathtub’), using a
cardboard box, painted and complese with a stainless faucet
and handles.”
Cody Hale, representing the book “US Army Tanks”
sported an elaborate camouflage painted cardboard box,
Duckworth added.
She is working on obtaining her national board certifica-
tion and recently submitted an essay about the Book Char-
acter Dress Up Day. In the essay, she explained that she uses
the event “to address the goal of exposing students to a wide
Left © right, Nathaniel (Charlie Miller), James the Less (Jerry Fiend, Andrew (Randy Frye), Judas Iscariot Wustin Frye), Simon
Peter (Claude Suber), John (Tim Buchanan), Jesus (Jeffcoat), J
(Gregg Petty), Matthew (Rodney Paulson), Thaddaeus (Terry Lovell), and Simon the Zealot (Kevin McGinnis).
Last Supper reenacted at St. Matthew's
By EMILY WEAVER
Editor
The characters of Leonardo da Vinci’s painting, “The Last Supper,”
stepped off of their canvas Thursday night and into the fellowship hall of
St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church.
The Last Supper was a momentous event told in the Bible and on
Maundy Thursday the story was brought to life momentously at St.
Matthew's.
The 12 disciples, reenacted by members of the church, drifted into the
room first, shaking hands and welcoming the congregation that would be
dining with them. Jesus, portrayed by Pastor Bill Jeffcoat, sat down with
his 12 disciples for a final seder meal, remembering Passover, and giving
a lasting decree to love others as He has loved them after he weoshed the feet
of his disciples.
On Thursday, members of St. Matthew’s Lutheran, Resumertion
Lutheran and other guests assembled in the church’s fellowship hall to
share that'seder meal and witness the supper that inspired da Vinci’ s fa-
mous work.
The characters were seated on stage as the disciples were in the paint-
ing. Many scholars believe that their placements and body language were
very significant in da Vinci’s interpretation of “The Last Supper,” giving
depth to the Biblical story.
The character settings and their meanings were described
in the service’s program. From left to right sat, Nathaniel
(Charlie Miller), James the Less (Jerry Stark), Andrew
(Randy Frye), Judas Iscariot (Justin Frye), Simon Peter
(Claude Suber), John (Tim Buchanan), Jesus (Jeffcoat),
James the Elder (Chuck Wilson), Thomas (Bob Suber),
Philip (Gregg Petty), Matthew (Rodney Paulson), Thad-
daeus (Terry Lovell), and Simon the Zealot (Kevin McGin-
nis).
The back drop of the stage was beautifully painted by
members of the church to resemble the background of da
St. Matthew’s Faithful Girlz helped out at the serv-
ice. Left to right, Jessica Lovell, Alley Wray and
Abbey Wray. photos by Emily Weaver
The Kings Mountain Herald
\ Grover Elementary
~ brings stories to life
range of literature and for students to communicate their
reading experiences.”
Duckworth said that they begin planning for the day in
August, leading students in discussions about authors, illus-
trators, book series, characters and story elements. “Small
group sharing sessions are held to allow students to ‘talk up’
or promote an author or particular book,” she wrote in her
essay.
“Much time is spent talking about the merits of props for
a specific character as many favorite characters are students
much like themselves and how we can infer things about the
character based on what the author tells us or what the il-
lustrator shows us about them.
“Notes are sent home months in advance
to allow parents ample time to read with,
their child and select a character they
can identify with,” Duckworth said. {
She also coordinates with class-{
room teachers to help provide props
or costume ideas for students. The goal :
is to make sure that every student has
a character with whom he or she gan
identify with.
The Book Chcter Day “is a sig
nificant means for parents to become
involved in fostering a love of literature
for our students,” Duckworth wrote in
her essay. “It is yet another way we bridge
the gap between home and school. Parents™
listen to their child read on a daily basis.
- “Students are encouraged to think about §
books they’ve read, analyze characters they like |
or dislike and decide who they want to emulate. |
Page 5A
EMILY WEAVER/HERALD
Media Coordinator Kim Duckworth talks to two
Captain Underpants Holden Turner arid Keylen
Grindstaff during Friday’s parade.
off a Scholastic Book Fair that will be held at the school
once the students return from Spring Break on Monday.
In addition to bringing the students, faculty, parents and
community together, Duckworth said that she created the
event to give children a chance to express their love for read-
ing outside of the required reading program.
This is an opportunity for the books they read to come to
life, she said. “It is an activity they will remember forever.”
“Book Character Dress Up Day promotes reading be-
cause when students have been introduced to a character,
they seek out other books featuring that character,” she wrote
in her essay for national board certification.
“When they dress as that character, théy take ownership.
For some students, it is a pop star, sports Z ACH FALLS [tis motivational in that it sparks an interest in another char-
figure or famous person in history. For oth-
ers it may be a fictional character, which sprouted from the
imaginations of the writer. But for all, the event is momen-
tous.
Steve Black, a sales representative of Scholastic Books,
was at the parade Friday morning and he said that he was .
delighted to see it. The Book Character Dress Up Day kicks
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acter they see in the parade. As a result; the students ac-
tively and independently seek out other works to know more
about that character. All of this positively affects student
learning.” ;
And they all lived happily ever after.
The end.
Vinci’s work.
Each disciple gave a brief history of his life, how he came to follow
Jesus, and how he met his end on this earth.
Under the direction of narrator and event organizer Ginger Jeffcoat, the
congregation was instructed to eat the special foods set before them as
Jesus and the disciples did. Each food represented a facet of the Jewish ex-
odus from Egypt.
Lord?” according to Matthew.
will betray me’ (Matthew 26:23, NIV).
rest of the apostles.
(Justin), who left the table.
command to love.
ames the Elder (Chuck Wilson), Thomas (Bob Suber), Philip
The breaking of bread symbolized the breaking of the Hebrews spirit
under the Egyptians. During the meal, Jesus told his disciples that one of
them would betray him. One by one the apostles asked “Surely not I,
“Jesus replied, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me
After both Jesus (Pastor Jeffcoat) and Judas (Justin Frye) dipped their
stalks of celery into a bowl of salt water (used to resemble the tears of the.
Hebrews’ oppression) the betrayal was set in motion, unknowing to the
“What you are about to do, do quickly,” Jesus (Jeffcoat) told Judas
The meal ended with a last communion among the disciples and their
Lord. Thursday’s service ended with a communion shared by the entire
congregation and a stirring call to remember the great sacrifice and His
‘09 Youth
Explosion
Youth Explosion 2009 at
Adams Chapel AME Zion
Church will feature a vari-
ety of activities for three
evenings beginning Thurs-
day, April 16 and culminat-
ing with a cookout at noon
on April 18.
Rev. Angela Early, of St.
John’s Baptist Church in
Gastortia, will deliver the
message at the 7 p.m. Praise
and Worship service Thurs-
day. Refreshments and a
time for youth to finish
homework assignments will
be from 6-6:45 p.m.
Pastor Pruella Kilgore
Sanders has invited a city
policeman to speak on
“Drug Prevention” = and
“Gang Activity” on Friday,
April 17, at the Praise and
Worship service at 7 p.m.,
which will be preceded by
‘refreshments and time to
complete homework assign-
ments.
The closing session on
Saturday will feature a
cookout for all participants,
ginning at noon.
I omonds
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European Car Show
Live entertainment
DJ Entertainer
Food, Food & Food
Homegrown Talent Stage
Sunday-Bluegrass Gospel
Saturday Evening Concert - BLOODLINE
Saturday Night Fireworks Extravaganza!!!
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9am-6pm Cleveland County Arts Council Student Art Competition
8pm Movie a la Mode -Kung Fu Panda, FREE outdoor movie
Uptown Shelby
Arts on the Square
Sam -4pm
Sponsored by Buffalo Creek Gallery &
Uptown Shelby Association
On the Historic Courthouse lawn in
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S&tare
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10am-4pm Tea at the Historic Bankers House $7
Lowe's on Earl Road US-74 West.
A Juried Art Show & Sale of Regional Artists
8am-3pm Opening Day for Foothills Farmers Market - certified grown in & around Cleveland County
9:30am 4th Annual Step One Challenge Fun Walk at Shelby City Park
10am-4pm FREE Trolley Rides from the Shelby City Park to Uptown Shelby
FREE Shuttle service will begin at 10:30 am and make 30-minute round trips from the Shelby City Park to parking in
these locations: Uptown Shelby Lafayette Street, Shelby Middle School, Ingles Grocery Store on US-74 West and
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