C-S students reproduce benches at Ellis Island Immigration Museum
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PROVIDED | THE LEADER
Provided to The Leader From left | Zach Gallipeau, Jacob Wood and Jesse Balliett participate in a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Great Hall.
By Jeffery Smith
Corning Leader
Posted May 20, 2011 @ 11:32 PM
Campbell, N.Y. —
A couple of benches that once provided a resting spot for immigrants waiting to see if they could enter the United States have been recreated by a group of Campbell-Savona High School students.
Jesse Balliett, technology teacher at C-S High School, said the two reproductions were recently installed in the Great Hall at the historic Ellis Island Immigration Museum during a brief ceremony.
“The benches were designed and built to look just like the historic benches,” Balliett said.
Ellis Island was the gateway for millions of immigrants to the U.S. from 1892 to 1954. The island was greatly expanded with landfill between 1892 and 1934.
Six C-S High School students visited the island in November to look at the eight remaining benches in the Great Hall, and create templates to build replicas.
“We did field measurements of the existing benches, and then built the two benches,” said Kreg Crooker, a senior. “It was a pretty cool experience to be involved in something so historic.”
Balliett said when the students returned with the photographs, drawings and measurements, more than 30 students played a role in creating the red oak benches.
“It was pretty neat,” said Jared Koperczak, a senior. “Both sides of my family went through Ellis Island. It was kind of neat to see what they went through. I had a good time.”
Balliett said it been an honor and privilege for the school and the students to be involved in such a wonderful experience.
The visit to Ellis Island was the first trip to New York City for several
students.
“It was a lot of fun,” said Jamie Trudeau, a junior. “I’ve never been to New York City before, so it was something to remember.”
The project even came with its own film crew from the communications class at GST BOCES.
Balliett said the project started in late 2010 when Rene Carver, a Greater Southern Tier Distance Learning Coordinator, visited Ellis Island and noticed the amount of benches that had been removed from the Great Hall.
Caver talked to the Ellis Island Education Specialist and Distance Learning Coordinator Kathy Craine, and saw the benches as a way for students to get involved in a park project.
Belliett said Ellis Island rangers provided tours and materials so the students could learn about the history of Ellis Island and the role it played in early immigration to the United States.
Zoom
Photos
PROVIDED | THE LEADER
Provided to The Leader From left | Zach Gallipeau, Jacob Wood and Jesse Balliett participate in a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Great Hall.
By Jeffery Smith
Corning Leader
Posted May 20, 2011 @ 11:32 PM
A couple of benches that once provided a resting spot for immigrants waiting to see if they could enter the United States have been recreated by a group of Campbell-Savona High School students.
Jesse Balliett, technology teacher at C-S High School, said the two reproductions were recently installed in the Great Hall at the historic Ellis Island Immigration Museum during a brief ceremony.
“The benches were designed and built to look just like the historic benches,” Balliett said.
Ellis Island was the gateway for millions of immigrants to the U.S. from 1892 to 1954. The island was greatly expanded with landfill between 1892 and 1934.
Six C-S High School students visited the island in November to look at the eight remaining benches in the Great Hall, and create templates to build replicas.
“We did field measurements of the existing benches, and then built the two benches,” said Kreg Crooker, a senior. “It was a pretty cool experience to be involved in something so historic.”
Balliett said when the students returned with the photographs, drawings and measurements, more than 30 students played a role in creating the red oak benches.
“It was pretty neat,” said Jared Koperczak, a senior. “Both sides of my family went through Ellis Island. It was kind of neat to see what they went through. I had a good time.”
Balliett said it been an honor and privilege for the school and the students to be involved in such a wonderful experience.
The visit to Ellis Island was the first trip to New York City for several
students.
“It was a lot of fun,” said Jamie Trudeau, a junior. “I’ve never been to New York City before, so it was something to remember.”
The project even came with its own film crew from the communications class at GST BOCES.
Balliett said the project started in late 2010 when Rene Carver, a Greater Southern Tier Distance Learning Coordinator, visited Ellis Island and noticed the amount of benches that had been removed from the Great Hall.
Caver talked to the Ellis Island Education Specialist and Distance Learning Coordinator Kathy Craine, and saw the benches as a way for students to get involved in a park project.
Belliett said Ellis Island rangers provided tours and materials so the students could learn about the history of Ellis Island and the role it played in early immigration to the United States.