A group of Bibich Elementary third-grade students recently received many lessons as they prepared for their recent presentation of Dyer history at Plum Creek Center.
“One of our standards is to understand our community,” said teacher Julie Crary, who led the event for the second year. “I felt this presentation would be one way to do this.”
Technical training teacher Silvana Morgan assisted the children as they outlined plans for inquiring about Dyer’s early settlers, businesses and government. She said learning proper ways to use technology as a personal tool to gain knowledge and learn about the world around them is important for kids.
“Each of the teams used the Internet for research and developed a PowerPoint presentation,” she said. “They did a wonderful job of integrating technology with a passion for history.”
And very passionate they were as some of the 35 students ad-libbed when taking the microphone. Some even dressed as the person they were portraying.
Vince Massignani, 9, complete with pilot’s cap, goggles and neck scarf, appeared as early Dyer settler Mike Burson. “Mr. Burson was a Dyer pharmacist,” Vince said. “But many people did not know he also was a paratrooper.”
Isabella Kreuger and Morgan Maas related the history of St. Joseph Church.
“The most interesting thing we found was about the church fire in 1902,” Isabella said. “It lit up for miles around. It was so dense and intense that the bells melted all over.”
Indeed, that fire destroyed the church, which was rebuilt with a 125-foot tower in 1903 and still stands on U.S. 30.
During the two-hour performance by the students, more than 100 spectators watched the 10 performances about Dyer’s history.
“This is just like a history class for those of us who didn’t grow up in this town, and we also can see the geography of the area during those old times,” said audience member James Letterick, of Merrillville. “The kids are doing a great job, and it’s enlightening to be informed.”
Meyer’s Castle, a restaurant on U.S. 30, was built by businessman Joseph Meyer in 1927 and took four years to build, according to the student team of Iman Manasrah and Jacob Jongsma.
“Materials were bought both locally and from around the world,” Iman said. “In 1933, Mr. Meyer developed Calumet National Bank.”
Student team Kayla Adams and Gracie Jensen reported on Dyer’s early school system.
“District No. 1 School was built in 1853,” Kayla said. “There were only a few pioneer families, and they were German settlers. There were 97 pupils, and both English and German was taught.”
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Dyer Historical Society member and Dyer Museum curator Kathy Powers worked with the students before their Dyer history program came to fruition, providing them with pertinent information for their topics. This is the second year the third-graders have offered the program to the public.
“I have truly enjoyed working with the children on their presentations,” Powers said. “I’m so impressed with what they are learning, and I love their enthusiasm.”
Sue Ellen Ross is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.