NEWTON TWP. — Third-grade students from Newton-Ransom and South Abington elementary schools stepped into the shoes of some of their ancestors during the Ellis Island Simulation held March 27 at the Newton-Ransom school.
And they quickly learned it was not always smooth sailing for the more than 12 million immigrants who entered the United States through Ellis Island between the years of 1892 and 1954.
“Immigrants faced challenges during the process of getting to America,” said Nicolas Rodriguez, a South Abington student, after he and his “family” passed through the “golden door” at the end of the experience.
Each student entered the event with a character role, complete with pretend money and fictional back stories that included information about their homelands, families and plans for new lives in America. Many came dressed for the part, wearing period-inspired outfits. Some traveled as individuals, others in small groups, with each portraying different family roles.
Rodriguez was the father in his group and the mother and daughter were portrayed by Lily Morris and Saige Wettstein, respectively.
The simulation began aboard a “ship” in front of the school, where the students packed into the chalk outline of a small boat, providing a picture of what it was like for third-class passengers traveling in steerage. Morris said this part of the adventure was one that stuck in her mind because it helped her understand how cramped the immigrants must have felt during their sea voyage.
Next, the students passed by an inflatable replica of the Statue of Liberty on their way into the school building, which represented Ellis Island. Inside, several classrooms and the gymnasium served as different stations through which the immigrants had to pass in order to enter America.
“They had to fill out a lot of forms and go to a lot of different places,” explained Wettstein.
These included the “Great Hall,” where the children made postcards to send back home; a medical room, where they had to pass an eyesight exam and other tests (or be sent temporarily to a quarantine room); a legal room, where they filled out all their important paperwork; and the money room, where they traded their foreign currency for US dollars – that is, if they came equipped with the $20 necessary to enter the country. Those who didn’t have the funds were initially sent away, but met by a “friendly” American who loaned them the difference – for a hefty interest charge, which left them with even less money.
“It was fun because we got to do a lot of different activities,” said Rodriguez.
Damien Jones, who portrayed the son in his immigrant family, also enjoyed this aspect of the simulation.
“It’s really cool how they make it realistic, with going from place to place,” he said while standing in a hallway with Sienna Wilson, who portrayed the mother of the family, as they waited for the father, Derek Williams, who was stuck in quarantine.
All three agreed it felt “weird” being separated from each other, but they were soon reunited and sent on their way to the next station.
