JAY — Head down, standing like a wax figure, each fourth-grade student at Jay Middle School came to life with the press of a button to tell visitors about the famous Mainer they represented Thursday as part of the Wax Museum of Maine.

The three fourth-grade classes all participated, learning about famous Mainers from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow to Samantha Smith, and from Seth Wescott to Rachel Carson. The project created lessons in research, computer work, writing and art, said teacher Nancy Anctil, who worked along with teachers Donna Labbe and Tammy Deering to create the lesson.

“The nice part: They learned on their own but working together they could also tell about all the other famous Mainers,” she said.

The children chose their subjects by the luck of the draw then researched their early life, family, accomplishments and other interesting facts. Each student wrote a report and script, drew pictures of the Mainer, dressed up and used props to represent the person and became the wax figure for parents and guests Thursday.

Casey McGlynn sat behind a handmade television representing the actor Patrick Dempsey, Hailee Perkins wore a rose to represent Margaret Chase Smith, a large stuffed fish lay across Brandyn Cutler’s desk as he told about LL Bean, and Carl Beaudette leaned on a cane as he shared Longfellow’s life.

Some other famous Mainers represented included Ricky Craven, Lillian Nordica, baseball star Mike Bordick, Stephen King, Hannibal Hamlin and Joshua Chamberlain.

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Fourth-grade students at Jay Middle School pose as wax figures of famous Mainers for their parents Thursday in their classroom’s Wax Museum of Maine. Hailee Perkins, above, poses as Margaret Chase Smith and relates parts of Smith’s life for her mother, Michelle.

Fourth-grade students at Jay Middle School pose as wax figures of
famous Mainers for their parents Thursday in their classroom’s
Wax Museum of Maine. Famous actor and Maine native Patrick Dempsey is portrayed by Casey McGlynn, above, who told viewers about Dempsey’s life.

Fourth-grade students at Jay Middle School pose as wax figures of
famous Mainers for their parents Thursday in their classroom’s
Wax Museum of Maine. Tim Martin, above, hears about race-car driver Ricky Craven from Will Thornton.

Fourth grade students at Jay Middle School pose as wax figures of
famous Mainers for their parents Thursday in their classroom’s
Wax Museum of Maine. Head down waiting for a visitor to press the button on his desk, Hunter Jewett, above, waits to tell the story of Joshua Chamberlain.