Amanda Pevey
Elmore Autauga News
At Redland Elementary School, history did not sit quietly in the pages of a textbook; it spoke.
During the school’s fourth annual Living Wax Museum on Feb. 27, 2026, 15 fourth-grade students transformed the library into a gallery of leaders, changemakers, and hometown heroes as part of this year’s theme, “There’s No Place Like Redland.” Family members, educators, community leaders, and students from the school enjoyed pressing buttons at each display to hear the students deliver first-person speeches they had spent months researching and rehearsing.
“At Redland Elementary, the Living Wax Museum 2026 marks four years of tradition, dedication, and excellence. Our fourth graders spend months preparing, studying, and embodying the leaders who shaped our nation, because when students immerse themselves in history, they not only learn it, but also live it. We love celebrating our fourth graders and their ability to bring history to life through the dedication, passion, and hard work,” said school counselor Brittany Brown, who selected the students for the honor.
The event blended national history with local impact, highlighting figures who have shaped Elmore County and its surrounding areas.
“Good morning, my name is Desirae Lewis. I am a Wetumpka native, and a graduate of Wetumpka High School. I graduated magma cum laude from the University of Alabama. I serve as an Elmore County commissioner and created Law Day for our students across the district. I love serving my community,” said a fourth-grade student portraying Desirae Lewis.
“Hello, my name is Tim Wheeler. I have served as a juvenile probation officer in Elmore County since 1998, and I am grateful to make a positive impact on students’ lives,” said a fourth-grade student portraying Tim Wheeler.
“Good morning, my name is Judge Ben Baxley. I serve as an Elmore County district judge and am dedicated to the well-being of children and families in Alabama,” said a fourth-grade student portraying Ben Baxley.
“Good morning, my name is Delane Goggans. I have worked as a juvenile probation officer since 1994 and enjoy helping children and their families,” said a fourth-grade student portraying Delane Goggans.
The program also reached beyond county lines, honoring national leaders whose legacies continue to shape classrooms and communities.
“My name is Martin Luther King Jr. I was a civil rights leader who fought for voting rights, desegregation, and equality, and I am known for my ‘I Have a Dream’ speech,” said a fourth-grade student portraying Martin Luther King Jr.
Community members in attendance said the students’ preparation and poise left a lasting impression.
“I am just beyond impressed. I wish I had the presentation that he did. I could learn a few things from him,” said Judge Ben Baxley.
For longtime speech-language pathologist Andreda Young, being portrayed by a student added a deeply personal touch to the event.
“As a school’s speech language pathologist for 39 years, it was an honor to be featured in this year’s Living Wax Museum. Ariya blessed my heart when she spoke of my family and service to a profession that has been my calling. A calling that has been to fulfill the communicative skills of hundreds of children who struggle to communicate,” Young said.
Principal Cory Eckstein said the event reflects both the school’s mission and its community roots.
“The Living History Wax Museum is one of our favorite events that we have here, because we get to celebrate the rich history and contributions of African Americans to our country. One of the most important things about that is not that we as a school get to celebrate it, because that is a plus. It is when the kids get to learn about it and participate in the program. This is a celebration of them and their contribution to our school and this community as well. So we get to see the contribution of these people throughout our history, but also the contribution that the kids get to make by learning about them and actively participating in the program,” Eckstein said.
As everyone who attended listened to the young voices tell powerful stories, the message was clear: history is not distant or abstract at Redland Elementary. It lives on the curiosity of its students, the mentorship of its educators, and the example of the community leaders they admire.
In bringing the past into the present, Redland’s fourth graders did more than complete a class project; they reminded their community that the next generation of leaders is already finding its voice.
