Fox Chapel Area High School history department hosts patriotic-themed event to mark America’s 250th

The past came to life as Fox Chapel Area High School celebrated America’s 250th birthday with a daylong celebration May 26.

Teachers in the history department coordinated the event.

More than 30 teachers and staff participated, reviving the likes of Andy Warhol, Rosie the Riveter, Paul Revere, Ansel Adams, Nelly Bly, Laura Ingalls Wilder, Eleanor Roosevelt and Lady Liberty.

AP U.S. history teacher Eric Norberg, channeling Gen. George Washington, noshed on cake and mingled with students during the daylong event.

Patriotic-themed birthday cake and cupcakes were served. A comprehensive living timeline chronicling the past 250 years was displayed in the hallways, and students were able to sign an 8-foot-by-4-foot copy of the Declaration of Independence.

AP government and politics teacher Jen Klein of Indiana Township donned colonial attire as Abigail Adams.

“Our vision for this day was to celebrate a birthday,” Klein said. “And the students are making a wish and writing down their wish for the country’s future.”

Among some of the wishes that hung from the ceiling: equality for all, clean environment, triple the defense budget, no world wars in coming years, acceptance for immigrants and what they do and cure for cancer.

Fox Chapel Area High School faculty and staff dressed as famous U.S. historical figures during a program May 26 to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary at the high school. Pictured are (back row, from top) teacher Brandon Rios as Jaime Escalante, Program Principal Nicole Smith as Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Lead Principal Michael Hower as John Paul Jones; (front row, from left) teacher Jen Klein as Abigail Adams, teacher Jennifer Cuda as Amelia Earhart, teacher Scott Karavlan as Teddy Roosevelt, Program Principal Michelle Young as Louisa Swain, school counselor Tina Crissman as Mary Lou Retton, counseling secretary Maria Helgert as Betsy Ross, school counselor John Baxter as Buddy Holly, teacher Mary Modlin as Nelly Bly, teacher Kelly Coffield as the Statue of Liberty and teacher Eric Norberg as Gen. George Washington. (Joyce Hanz | TribLive)

U.S. history teacher Scott Karavlan dressed as Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th U.S. president.

“He really was so very ahead of his time,” Karavlan said of Roosevelt’s commitment to creating the U.S. National Park System.

Fox Chapel Area High School students serve patriotic-themed desserts to celebrate America’s 250th birthday: (from left) Calvin Peel of O’Hara, Kayleigh Sejvar of Indiana Township, Samantha Van Kirk of O’Hara, Mark Ong of Fox Chapel and Nora Kelley of Aspinwall. (Joyce Hanz | TribLive)