PANAMA CITY, Fla. — It was a star-studded day at Breakfast Point Academy as celebrities and historical icons filled the halls for the school’s annual Second Grade Wax Museum. From global music sensation Taylor Swift to comedy legend Lucille Ball, soccer greats David Beckham and Lionel Messi, and music icons Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley — BPA’s cafetorium was transformed into a living museum of talent, history, and inspiration.
Parents and community members were greeted by statues of sports legends like Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant, aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart, country music superstar Dolly Parton, renowned primatologist Jane Goodall, scientific genius Albert Einstein, and beloved author Dr. Seuss — just to name a few.
With the press of a button, each “statue” came to life.
One by one, BPA’s second graders confidently stepped into character, sharing first-person speeches they researched and wrote themselves. Students spent weeks learning about the lives, challenges, and accomplishments of their chosen figures. Through guided research, note-taking, drafting, revising, and practicing, they developed not only a deep understanding of influential individuals but also strengthened their reading comprehension and informational writing skills.
The project required students to analyze credible sources, organize key facts, and transform their learning into engaging biographical presentations. In doing so, they sharpened essential academic skills — from summarizing main ideas to crafting clear introductions and conclusions.
Beyond research and writing, the Wax Museum highlighted impressive performance abilities. Students demonstrated poise, projection, expression, and audience awareness as they delivered their speeches repeatedly throughout the event. For many, it was an opportunity to build confidence in public speaking while showcasing their creativity through carefully planned costumes and props.
Families and visitors were amazed at the depth of knowledge and enthusiasm displayed by the young Stingrays. The event not only celebrated famous figures from history and pop culture but also reflected the academic rigor and creativity happening daily in BPA classrooms.
A special thank you goes to BPA’s outstanding second grade teachers for organizing this meaningful learning experience. Their dedication to integrating research, writing, speaking, and creativity into one culminating event provided students with an authentic audience and a memorable opportunity to shine.
At Breakfast Point Academy, even the greatest stars would agree — the future is bright.
