Liberty Elementary School Principal Karen Hawley wants her students to know who schools are honoring when they close their doors Monday for Presidents’ Day. Abraham Lincoln was brought to life at the Canton school last week in celebration of Lincoln’s birthday and to teach students a few valuable lessons.

“They need to know their country’s history,” Mrs. Hawley said as to why the visit was arranged.

Homer S. Sewell III, who lives in Jasper, portrayed Lincoln at the elementary school Wednesday. Sewell spoke as if he were Lincoln to students in every grade and told them about the former president’s life.

Mrs. Hawley said she does not think children are learning as much about the pre
sidents as they should. To focus more on the presidents, the school created hall displays featuring them.

About 20 Liberty Elementary students memorized the Gettysburg Address, earning the right to eat lunch with “Abe” on the stage in the cafeteria.

Sewell said he always asks his audiences how many people had to learn the Gettysburg Address in school. Usually, the teachers and parents are the ones who raise their hands, Sewell said, and it bothers him that children don’t appear to be learning much about U.S. presidents.

“We need to turn it around. We need more patriotism,” Sewell said. “We all need to be proud to be here.”

Savannah Rolfe, 11, daughter of Mike and Janet Rolfe of White, said she learned more than the Gettysburg Address. She learned Lincoln was an important man, gave many speeches and was very tall.

“I have learned that it takes hard work to get great success,” she said.

Christian Gunn, 10, son of Eddie and Colette Gunn of Canton, said it took him about four hours to memorize the Gettysburg Address.

“I feel wonderful,” Christian said of his accomplishment.

As Lincoln, Sewell often has the students help him role-play. From the audience, he picked Brooke Hrouda, 10, daughter of Chris and Penny Hrouda of Canton, to come up and pretend to dance with Abe when he was young.

“It was kind of scary because everyone in the school was looking at me,” Brooke said. “But it was fun.”

Sewell also encouraged the students to stay away from violence and drugs, respect their parents and teachers and follow their dreams.

“I tell these young people if they pay attention to their teachers and they read enough good books and they never give up, indeed, they can become whatever they want to be,” Sewell said. “They need to know that there is no limit placed on their lives.”

The lesson seemed to get through to the students.

“I learned that you should always tell the truth and that you should never give up,” said Tessa Sghiatti, 10, daughter of Rich and Louise Sghiatti of Canton.

Mrs. Hawley said she was amazed Sewell was able to keep the second- through sixth-graders interested for as long as he did.

“You don’t hold children’s attention for one hour, and this fellow did it,” she said.

Teachers said they appreciated the program and thought it was very educational.

“I think it’s good that he cares enough about young people that he would want to inspire them to read about history,” sixth-grade teacher Martin Chapman said.

Sewell not only speaks at schools. He also speaks to all ages at churches, trade shows and patriotic events.

He started portraying Lincoln in 1975 in Orlando, Fla. He was touring schools to tell students about working in the White House Communications Agency during President Johnson’s administration when the students commented on how his new beard made him look like Lincoln.

“The kids started calling me ‘Abe,’ and one thing lead to another, and the rest is history,” Sewell said.

There are about 100 Lincoln impersonators in the country, but Sewell said he is the only one with an official presidential seal. He has seen 2 million people in 46 states in 28 years. He has performed at Mount Rushmore and received The Lincoln of the Year Award in Burbank, California in 1999.

Fifth-grader Savannah said she’s glad Lincoln came to visit her school.

“I think everybody could learn a lot and become a better person from what Lincoln has done,” Savannah said.


salexander@cherokeetribune.com