History comes to life
CMS students learn with help from hit ‘Hamilton’
Five CMS high schools participated in the Hamilton
Education Program (EduHam), which is giving 250,000
students in Title I schools nationwide the opportunity to
see the hit musical Hamilton.
Harding University, West Mecklenburg (pictured),
West Charlotte, Garinger and Vance high school students
participated in the educational partnership between
Hamilton producers, the family of Hamilton creator
Lin-Manuel Miranda and the Gilder Lehrman Institute
of American History. The institute provides classroom
resources on Alexander Hamilton and the Founding
Fathers for students and teachers, as well as the
opportunity to see Hamilton.
Charlotte is one of 14 cities where EduHam is
available this school year. CMS students attended a Nov.
1 performance for $10 – the bill with Hamilton’s portrait.
School groups had a full day filled with workshops,
behind-the-scenes tours and time with the Hamilton cast
before the show began.
Stephanie Kelly was one of three teachers at Harding
University who used the EduHam program. She was
familiar with the Gilder Lehrman Institute and applied
early for the opportunity to participate. Students focused
on Hamilton for two weeks and had access to materials
that included an online database with videos from the
original cast, booklets and the show’s soundtrack. They
were required to create an original performance piece of
their own – a song, rap, poem or skit – to illustrate what
they had learned.
Abigail Sosa, 16, who is from Puerto Rico, and a
fellow student from Honduras performed a dialogue/
interview about what the U.S. Constitution and Hamilton
mean to them.
“This was the first time I had heard about him,” Abigail said. “It was so
interesting. I learned a lot of things from doing the project.”
Tyler Chisum, 16, and Destiny McAdams and Princess Campbell, both 17,
performed a skit about the Constitutional Convention. Tyler said the EduHam
resources and activities helped her grasp the concepts.
“That’s how I learn best,” Tyler said, “not with notes – that’s boring.”
Kelly said not only were many students unfamiliar with Hamilton, but
also with his namesake musical and theater in general. She said they didn’t
know what to expect from the EduHam experience, but as they worked on
their projects, they appreciated how research and creativity helped them
learn history.
“They said, ‘But Ms. Kelly, they don’t even talk like they’re talking
history,’ and I told them, ‘That’s the point, to step out of the box,’” she said.
“At the end, we were focusing more on review than content because they
had already taught each other through their performance pieces.”
West Meck teacher Aaron Hayes said EduHam was a lot of work for
students and teachers, but the lessons learned and seeing Hamilton were
unforgettable.
“This play was powerful,” said student Gabriel Smith of West Meck. “I
could relate to many of the characters and topics discussed. I realize you can
learn from so many different forms of media and entertainment.”
Shaiann Austin Allison of West Meck said seeing Hamilton was an
extraordinary experience.
“I feel like, since the play, I have a whole other perspective on life and
I appreciate everything even more,” Shaiann said. “I now have a visual idea
of what so many people went through and died so America can be what it is
today.”
Butler pride mural greets returning students
After the tragedy at Butler High on Oct. 29, the
community rallied around the school. Local businesses
dropped off food, coffee and snacks.
One volunteer, Shane Pierce, decided to help in a
different way. The local artist, known as Abstract Dissent,
heard about what happened at Butler and reached out to
the school.
“He just called us and volunteered to do a mural for us,”
said Dottie Flaherty, Butler senior administrative secretary.
“He came in and worked all night long so the mural would
be ready when students returned.”
Pierce said his art is a way that he can give to others. “That’s what the
purpose of my art is,” he said. Pierce worked for 10 hours and used a gallon
of primer and 20 cans of spray paint to complete the new “We are Butler”
mural.
When students returned to school Nov. 1, they saw the mural in the
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school’s cafeteria for the first time. Many students paused to take photos and
posted them on social media with the hashtag #WeAreButler.
“The support of our community has been overwhelming,” said Principal
John LeGrand. “Having Shane Pierce come in and donate his time means so
much to our Butler family as we work to move forward.”
“I hope this piece will bring the kids together,” said Pierce.