More than 1,000 Duval County Public Schools' fourth- and fifth-grade students recently visited the Main Branch of the Jacksonville Public Library to watch Theodore Roosevelt come to life through performances by actor and re-creator James Foote.
Foote has traveled the country as Roosevelt for more than 30 years, and is the official Theodore Roosevelt for Sagamore Hill, Roosevelt's museum home in New York. He began portraying Roosevelt after friends urged him to because of his striking resemblance to the 26th President. He has studied everything he could find on Roosevelt and is now a true expert on everything from his politics, to his personal history and mannerisms.
Foote's visit was presented by the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America in the State of Florida. This is the fourth year the Dames have brought historic re-enactors to Jacksonville, and in the past have brought performances by Benjamin Franklin, George Washington and Thomas Jefferson.
The Dames also sponsor an essay contest for the students, and this year's theme was "What about Theodore Roosevelt inspires you?" The winners were presented with certificates signed by the former president, and each of their teachers received a copy of the book Why America is Free, a history of the American Revolution.
Students from Jacksonville Heights, Ortega, Arlington Heights, Bayview, Ft. Caroline, West Riverside, Hendricks Avenue, Jacksonville Beach, John Stockton, San Jose, Justina Road, Pine Forest, Hyde Park, J. Allen Axson and R.L. Brown elementary schools all had the opportunity to see James Foote's presentation of Theodore Roosevelt during his two-day stint in Jacksonville.
The following DCPS' students were designated as winners in the essay contest: Matthew A. from Debbie Keyser's class at J. Allen Axson Montessori School; Christian C. from Sandy Phillips' class at John Stockton Elementary; and Jack R. in Joanne Riska's class at Hendricks Avenue Elementary.
More pictures from Roosevelt's visit can be viewed on the
DCPS' flickr Photostream.
More 'Spotlight on Education' Articles
