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Students enjoy a taste of the states

Fifth-graders pick one of the nifty 50 to study in depth. They even serve up a signature dish to complete the lesson.

By PAULETTE LASH RITCHIE
Published October 12, 2006

LECANTO - Seven Rivers Christian School fifth-grade teacher Chuck Woods holds an annual delicious-looking event that seems to be very popular with his students, as well as those in the rest of the school.

It could be the colorful displays, the imaginative costumes and the interesting information that makes his students' State Fair so well-received by the school population and visitors.

But it's probably the culinary aspect of the afternoon affair that makes it so attractive.

The State Fair is the culmination of the fifth-grade unit on the 50 states. Woods asked his 22 students to chose states to study in depth and display at the fair. They were asked to build exhibits that included the state capital, regions, time zones, geographical features, and the state flag, seal, flower and tree.

The research also was supposed to describe the state's history, industries, tourist attractions, unusual facts and a typical recipe.

The displays must all include samples of regional foods, and the children have the option of dressing up.

Woods had only 22 students working on these projects, so only 22 states were represented.

Aspen Phillips, 10, who dressed as a hula dancer, had chosen Hawaii. She was serving pineapple and rice and shared this interesting fact: "Charles Lindbergh was buried there."

Nearby, classmate Roy Finney, 10, reported on South Carolina. "There was an apple festival that celebrates the beginning of the harvest in Oconee County," he said. Roy was serving apple crisp samples.

Hunter Hobbs, 10, had "Happy Apple Cake" and apple cookies for his Washington state visitors.

"It was the last capital (Olympia) ever built, even though it was the 42nd state admitted into the union," he said.

The stop at Nevada and a visit with Jordan O'Quinn, 10, was an opportunity to get chips and pretzels with hamburger dip. And bad news for the madly in love.

"They just changed the law," Jordan said. "You cannot have quick marriages at the 24-hour drive-throughs."

North Carolina, said 10-year-old Savannah Smith, is the home of Krispy Kreme doughnuts. Sample chunks of the sweet, glazed treat were available.

Savannah learned that North Carolinians are also known as Tar Heels, a name that goes back to Civil War times.

Choosing a state clear across the country, Taylor Frowick, 10, represented California. She had grapes, nuts and avocado dip to eat.

She mentioned a couple of facts she has learned about the state.

"I didn't know that redwood trees grew there and Huntington Beach is the Surf City of the United States."

Adam Gage, 10, served up barbecue pork for Missouri.

He said he learned that the Gateway Arch is the tallest monument in the United States, two times taller than the Statue of Liberty.

Victor Oestereich, 11, and his brother Dmitry, 10, studied Tennessee and Florida, respectively.

Victor was outfitted to look like a miniature Elvis Presley. Elvis, Victor said, moved there when he was 13.

Victor's food item was deer sausage.

Dmitry found it interesting to learn that the state insect of Florida is the praying mantis. He served key lime pie.

Texas was Michael East's choice, and he liked finding out there have been all kinds of dinosaur remains found there. Michael had Texas State Fair Chili for tasters.

The big bowl of Hershey's Kisses was a clue to the state chosen by Jacqueline Miller, 10.

"They have the world's largest chocolate factory there," she said of Pennsylvania.

Besides the Kisses, Jacqueline had shoofly pie cookies, which she said, were "full of brown sugar."

Brice DeLaney's Michigan display turned out to be almost as sweet as Jacqueline's Pennsylvania one.

"It's one of the states with a lot of maple syrup," he said. Brice served Michigan applesauce glazed chicken.

Kassie Satterly, 10, wore an appropriate riding outfit to promote Kentucky.

Her display included tastes of derby pie, and she said Mother's Day was first celebrated in her state.

Kentucky can also lay claim to the creation of the Happy Birthday song.

Karl Oestereich, 10, brother of Dmitry and Victor, a.k.a. Elvis, was popping corn to celebrate Indiana.

He said, "That Indiana's just a small state and lots and lots of famous people were born there." Those include David Letterman and John Mellencamp.

Madison Peshek, 10, was dressed as a New York City showgirl and had several cheesecake choices for her guests. Madison said she learned that Niagara Falls helps produce electricity.

Quade Jacks, 11, was serving special oatmeal cookies made from a favorite recipe of former Wyoming governor Jim Geringer. He said the state boasts the largest antler arch that extends over four lanes of highway in Afton.

Jonah Miller's state, Alabama, also has an odd claim to fame: the world's largest chair. Jonah, 11, served peanuts.

Thomas Jones, 10, served chicken-fried steak and demonstrated how to make a tornado in a two-liter soda bottle to illustrate Oklahoma.

He said the dust bowl era caused crop failures and forced farmers to leave.

Jackson, Sonnier, 10, said his state, Colorado, is very high, going up to an elevation of 10,000 feet. Jackson served cowboy stew.

Jimmy Mooney, 11, offered Maryland crab cakes and said he learned that Washington, D.C., although separate, is actually located within his state.

Taylor Nast, 10, served a nice dessert for Jimmy's crab cakes, with Georgia peach cobbler. Taylor said Coca-Cola was invented in Georgia.

Ashley Ludwick, 10, had buckeye candy at her table, along with samples of apple cake. Ohio, she said, was the state that gives us Smuckers jams and jellies.

[Last modified October 12, 2006, 06:25:56]