- July 14, 2025
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Ryelee Lococo dressed as the statue of liberty to signal to passengers that they had arrived at Ellis Island.
A second grade class arrives at Ellis Island at Phillippi Shores Elementary School. For five weeks students learned about their heritage and how their families arrived in the United States.
Second grade teacher James Anderson gives students instruction as they arrive at Ellis Island.
Students went through different check points recreating the process at Ellis Island.
Students receive instructions upon arriving at Ellis Island.
Lila Robertson with her luggage dressed as an immigrant from England.
Max Miville's family heritage is French. He dressed as an immigrant from France.
Lila Robertson packed stuffed animals for her pretend voyage to America.
Reef Teffenhart undergoes his health examine by Brody Carroll.
Connor Sankes fills out his information in his passport.
Jillian Hughes fills out her passport.
Emmett Russo, Landen Huchla and Cooper Madden patrolled the courtyard as officers.
Tide Anderson dressed as Uncle Sam welcomed immigrants who completed the Ellis Island passport process.
The courtyard at Phillippi Shores Elementary School was transformed into Ellis Island for the annual project.
For five weeks students have been researching their heritage to learn how their families arrived in the United States. They then dressed the part of immigrants from those countries and arrived at Ellis Island Thursday, Jan. 21.
Students stumbled down the breezeway pretending to be aboard a ship tossing in the Atlantic Ocean on its way to Ellis Island. The portal that served as the gateway to the American dream and all it promised was the port of entry for many families which immigrated to the United States.
Rylee Lococo played the role of the Statue of Liberty shining her torch as a beacon of hope for the immigrants aboard the ship.
"When they see me they know that they're in America," Lococo said.
Upon their arrival they were welcomed by the "Director of Ellis Island," second-grade teacher James Anderson. At the entrance of the courtyard students began the process of being welcomed to the United States. The first stop was a baggage drop off. Students packed suitcases, backpacks, satchels and duffle bags for their voyage with their most prized possessions.
After dropping off their luggage, students proceeded to booths to ensure that they were physically fit, answer interview questions and provide information about where they would be staying. After the course was complete they were welcomed by Tide Anderson dressed as Uncle Sam to America and enjoyed a lunch of hotdogs, chips and lemonade.
