The second-graders at Pleasant Valley Elementary School have created a “wax museum” full of more than 300 notable people for parents and the public to come see.

Joan Bumbulsky, one of the second-grade teachers at PVES, explained that the figurines are the children themselves.

Back in February, the children began working on a research writing and public speaking project that aligns with their reading curriculum, Bumbulsky said. The children picked a notable person they wanted to learn more about, researched that person, then made a poster and wrote a report for the wax museum. But the most fun part of this assignment is that they get to dress up as that person and pretend to be him or her in the museum.

“They all researched whomever they wanted to research. Some are super creative,” Bumbulsky said. “The costumes were just an added bonus. They’re super excited about that piece.”

Bumbulsky said the children sit in chairs in the hallways at the school, so they don’t have to stand still like a statue. When someone wants to hear about the life of the notable person, they push on the light button on the wall. The student stands up, reads his or her script, and sits down.

“We have a large range of people including Amelia Earhart, George Washington, Taylor Swift, Juliette Gordon Low, Dolly Parton and Milton Hershey,” said Bumbulsky, to name a few.

The second-graders showcased their characters on Tuesday afternoon for the first-graders and kindergartners. It was like a dress rehearsal for them.

“Kind of gets the nerves out,” Bumbulsky said.

When student Kelsey Hoffman was asked if she likes participating as a character in the wax museum, she said, “I do. It’s fun.”

Hoffman portrays Juliette Gordon Low, the founder of Girl Scouts, She chose Low because she is a member of a local Girl Scout troop, and said she enjoys participating in it.

The wax museum will be open to the public from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. today for the Academic Fair, Bumbulsky said. In all, there are 323 children participating in the wax museum, and just about that many different notable people covered. The variety is numerous.

Dressed all in pink with lots of sequins, cowboy boots and a cowboy hat, Lyndsey Heckman picked Dolly Parton for her project.

“She’s one of my favorite singers,” Heckman said. Her script included a fun fact about Dolly Parton - she has 300 wigs.

Jayce Cook chose George Washington for his person.

“I liked writing about him,” he said.

Sullivan McCarter chose someone he was familiar with already - Neil Armstrong.

“I know a lot about him,” he said. “I like space.”

Sullivan was dressed head to toe in an astronaut’s white flight suit, complete with a helmet. It was his former Halloween costume.

McCarter said he wants to learn more about other astronauts, but his favorite part about this assignment was getting to dress up like one.

Gabriella Villaneuva chose Rosa Parks. She said in her script that Parks is well-known for refusing to give up her seat on a bus, but she also worked to help the homeless.

“She helped people in need,” Villaneuva said.

In addition to famous historical figures, notable scientists, and beloved singers, there were some newly notable people, such as YouTuber James “Jimmy” Donaldson, also known as Mr. Beast. That is who Mason Alvarado picked to study.

With a crowd of little boys around him, Alvarado recited his speech about Mr. Beast. He talked about how Donaldson is a restaurant owner and philanthropist, donating 5.5 million pounds of food. According to Guinness World Records, Donaldson is the first person to reach one million followers on the social network, Threads.

Bumbulsky noted that the wax museum project was made possible through the work pf several teachers including: Anne Geffken-Gordon, Tracy Hauze, Jacqueline Hardy, Ms. McCartney, Shanna Mostellar, Melissa Bitler, Bethanne Yanchick, April Kresge, Desiree Kresge, Amber Brown, Lacey Magyar, Diane Charles and Karen Gianotti.