African-American History Comes to Life in Parish
By Marie Elena Giossi

Teenagers at St. Catherine of Sienna Church, St. Albans, earned rave reviews for their presentation of “The African-American Wax Museum,” last Sunday, Feb. 25.

The parish’s Living Off eXperience (LOX) Youth Group wrapped up Black History Month with an interactive exhibit in which each teen portrayed a prominent leader in the American civil rights movement.

Teens assumed statue-like poses at designated stations around the parish hall before the doors opened at 3 p.m. Around 40 people wandered in over the next two hours. Although admission was free, museum-goers needed to drop $.25 into the plastic donation cup located in front of each station to see the historical figures come to life and share their stories.

Marie Elena Giossi Photo

Amadin Enobakhare as Medgar Evers

Attendees gladly relinquished handfuls of shiny coins knowing that all proceeds benefit the Youth Group.
“I think this is great because we get to learn about black people and how they contributed to America and their importance in American history,” said 11-year-old museum-goer Christopher Whitaker.

His favorite figure was Rosa Parks, portrayed by Valerie Morin, 13, an eighth- grader at the parish school. “She made it seem that anything white people could do, black people could do too. She felt people should be treated equally,” Morin said.

LOX began planning for this event in December, according to Jeff Hicks, youth minister. He asked each teen to select one civil rights pioneer who they’d like to portray. Participants then had to research, create a display and piece together an outfit for their historical figure. Most importantly, they had to memorize and be able to reiterate facts about the person’s life and accomplishments.

Hicks had a three-fold goal for teens: to educate themselves about their history, to realize that they can contribute to their community, and to experience the sense of accomplishment that comes from starting a project and bringing it to fruition.

He additionally hoped to strengthen bonds between the adult and young adult members of the parish.
In preparation for their parish exhibit, the museum made its debut at St. Gregory the Great, Crown Heights, the previous weekend.

While the wax museum was a hit in both venues, Hicks says this is the second and final year they’re presenting this event. Last year, they had a Harlem Renaissance wax museum, and the event came back by popular demand this year.

“Next year, I want them to work on something entirely different,” said Hicks, who’s confident LOX teens will think of an even better way to observe Black History Month 2008.

The LOX Youth Group is going strong with 25 members, ages 13 - 18, who meet every Sunday after the 11 a.m. Mass from noon to 2 p.m. Through prayer, discussion and service, Hicks said he teaches teens “to incorporate God and the Bible into their everyday lives.”

The 34-year-old lector and extraordinary minister also coordinates a parish Youth Mass and runs youth retreats for the cluster parishes.

“The youth have become so much a part of the parish and he has so many innovative ideas for getting the kids involved in the church and community,” said Father William Sweeney, pastor.

Father Sweeney arrived with an envelope full of quarters, which he was delighted to dole out in return for fact-filled tidbits.

He visited Quadri Aigoro, 16, a junior at Martin Van Buren H.S., who was dressed as Clarence B. Jones, an advisor to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and prominent businessman, and enjoyed Earl Roberts, 17, a junior at Bishop Loughlin M.H.S., Ft. Greene/Clinton Hill, who rendered his portrayal of Emmett Till, murdered for whistling at a white woman.

Parishioner Ginger McKenzie-Glynn commented on how well teens spoke and how nicely attired they were.
While young men wore dark suits, young women had to be more creative with their costumes.

Nicole Rajaram, 17, and a junior at Martin Van Buren H.S., noticed that Susan B. Anthony wore “a lot of frills” so she made a frilly blouse and gray satin skirt from spare fabrics at home.

Not only did this young woman learn about the outspoken Anthony, “This made me learn about the 19th Amendment and how it came to be,” she told a reporter, for a quarter, of course.

Nurse Michelle McIntyre finished her shift and drove straight to the church, hoping to catch the exhibit.
When she arrived, she dropped some coins in front of Regina Whitaker, 15, a sophomore at Queens Gateway to Health Sciences, who was inspired to portray Ruby Bridges, the first African-American child to desegregate an elementary school, after reading Bridges’ book, “Through My Eyes.”

McIntyre gave her full attention to Whitaker and thanked her before moving onto the next station.
“My daughter… did this last year. Even though she’s in college now, I’m still supporting this because it gets the youth involved in the church,” said McIntyre, who donated over $20 worth of coins.

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