CLAREMORE — Creativity, colonialism and children come together as 33 Westside Elementary students make a memorable trip to the State Capitol.

The 10th Annual Colonial Day Celebration was held in Oklahoma City on Feb. 3. Serving approximately 500 students in Oklahoma. In the past the event has primarily hosted students from the Oklahoma City area. This year was different due to the efforts of local teachers and the hard work of a very dedicated group of students.

Since 1993 the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence has administered scholarships for Oklahoma teachers to attend the Colonial Williamsburg Teacher Institute in Early American History in Virginia and more than 500 teachers have participated in this renowned program.

Fifth grade teacher Michelle Rahn attended the seminar in the summer of 2011 making her eligible to apply for participation in the Oklahoma Colonial Day Event.

Rahn’s experience with the curriculum helped her present the subject to students. Ranetta Eidson, Westside fifth grade teacher, joined Rahn and both teachers made multiple trips to Oklahoma City to plan the special day for their students.

Each student wrote an essay titled “What it means to be an American”.

“We asked people from the community to rate the essays and we chose the top 35 essays to participate in the colonial Day,” Rahn said.

One of the winning essays was submitted to the Foundation of Excellence and Levi Ewton’s essay gained honorable recognition.

Taking part in the event was not an easy assignment. The students who were selected had to give up several days of their recess to prepare for the day at the Capitol.  They had to learn a Constitutional Rap song based to the music of M and M’s, “I’m Not Afraid”.  Plus, they had to write a debate speech defending their role as a Patriot, Loyalist, or undecided colonist.  

“These kids had to be at school at 6:00 a.m. dressed in Colonial style clothing which is no small feat for any 5th grader!” Rahn said. After arriving at the beautiful Capitol of Oklahoma, the students rotated through several activities which included learning about the Colonial trade of tinsmithing and they received first hand accounts from Lady Dunmore of Williamsburg, VA 1776 portrayed by Darci Tucker, the reasoning of the colonists who stayed loyal to the King.  

Westside Elementary students were also allowed to sit at the desks of the state representatives on the House floor to debate being a Patriot, Loyalist, or undecided colonist.

Benjamin Franklin portrayed by Stephen Smith also spoke to students about his role in the American Revolution, according to Rahn.

“I was so excited to be part of this event and allow my students to experience the same type of enrichment I did when I attended Colonial Williamsburg Teacher Institute. One of my students told me it was like they stepped back in time.  I hope they always remember this day at the Capitol where they were able to re-live history,” Rahn said.

This special event was made possible by the efforts of many, according to Rahn.

“I would like to give a special thank you to Wal-Mart for donating fabric for costumes and Betty Jean Heyel for making a dozen costumes, plus all the parent volunteers and school administrators who helped make this trip possible,” she said.  

“I really wanted the kids to understand the concept of where our country came from,” said Rahn.

The students completed their trip by writing about the experience. The following are just a few of the responses they shared.

“I recommend Colonial Day for future fifth graders. It is important for future generations to learn what we have,” Christian said.

“I learned that Benjamin Franklin won the war with a kite,” Chris said.

“I liked tinsmithing. I also liked saying my speech at the House of Representatives. It was fun learning about spies,” Brady said.

Maria said, “I liked that we got to debate on being a Patriot or Loyalist or undecided.”