Reed Intermediate School students in Maura Drabik and Todd Stentiford’s sixth grade cluster presented their “One Person Does Make A Difference” projects with parents and other guests on Wednesday, April 8, in the school’s cafetorium.

According to Ms Drabik, the 49 students in the cluster were tasked with studying one historical figure with the theme, “one person can make a difference.” Students prepared speeches for the project, and on Wednesday some chose to dress like the person they had studied. As people made their way around the school’s cafetorium, the students each shared their speech, which had been memorized ahead of the event.

Ms Drabik said the students focused their speeches on traits that helped the historical figure succeed.

This is a yearly project for the cluster, and this year’s students, according to Ms Drabik, chose to study mathematicians, philosophers, and “strong female figures” like Catherine the Great.

Student CJ Demers said he decided to study Henry Ford after reading a book about him in the school’s library, “and I found it really interesting.”

Anna Romano studied Anna Pavlova.

“I chose her because I love ballet,” said Anna, who added that she has been dancing since she was 3. Anna also said she found Anna Pavlova impressive for sharing “dance with new people.”

Anna Mattioli said she wanted to study Henry Bergh because, “I love animals and all he wanted to do in life was help animals and stop animal cruelty.”