Famous Missourians highlighted by California third graders

The third grade students are seated on the floor in the Multipurpose Room at California Elementary School while each awaits their turn to make their presentation of a Famous Missourian for the history lessons in their classes.
The third grade students are seated on the floor in the Multipurpose Room at California Elementary School while each awaits their turn to make their presentation of a Famous Missourian for the history lessons in their classes.

The California third grade classes presented a program on famous Missourians Friday, March 17.

Each class member selected a famous person with a connection to Missouri. Some were from history, such as explorer Daniel Boone and scout Sacagawea of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Others selected were more contemporary, such as race car driver Carl Edwards and Astronaut Janet Lynn Kavandi, a native of Carthage.

The young people wore costumes, wigs, and carried paraphernalia appropriate for the famous Missourian of their choice. Each student then presented a brief biography of the person they were representing, beginning with a statement, "My name is . Today I am ."

Family, and friends gathered for the event in the California Elementary School Multipurpose Room for the big event.

This is the first year the third grade classes have done the famous Missourians. In past years, the fourth grade classes have put on the Famous Missourians program.

Due to changes in the history curriculum, the program is now done by the third graders.