History comes alive for middle school students
"President Theodore Roosevelt" visits Van Antwerp Middle School to share stories about his life and his legacy

President Theodore Roosevelt, portrayed by historical actor Paul Stillman, shows students a political cartoon from that era.

Who was the youngest president of the United States? If you guessed Theodore Roosevelt – you’re correct!
Van Antwerp Middle School students learned that and other interesting facts about the life and times of the 26th President of the United States during a recent presentation by historical interpreter Paul Stillman.
In 1901, Roosevelt was sworn in as president at the age of 42, following the assassination of President William McKinley. (John F. Kennedy was the youngest man elected to the Oval office at age 43.)
As part of the Schenectady’s Theater for Children Great Minds Series, historical interpreter Stillman embodied Theodore Roosevelt, from his spectacles and mustache to his speaking voice.
For 45 minutes, students were educated and entertained as “President Roosevelt” described growing up in New York City, studying at Harvard, and serving with honor as he lead his cavalry regiment, the Rough Riders, to victory in the Spanish-American War. He discussed his achievements as Governor of New York among which was prohibiting any further dumping of raw sewage into the Hudson River.
As President, Roosevelt accomplished much in his two terms including helping to negotiate an end to the Russo-Japanese War, for which he subsequently won the Nobel Peace Prize, his land conservation efforts that resulted in the creation of 33 national parks, his sponsorship of legislation such as the Pure Food and Drug Act to protect consumers, and his push to build the Panama Canal.
Throughout the presentation, students were encouraged to ask questions. The Great Minds Series presentation was sponsored by the Niskayuna Foundation.

(December 2007)