New York Actress Performs During Glover’s Mlk Assembly

The old woman’s face was worn and tattered as an antique rug.

“You put your hand here on this left cheek,” she croaked. “That’s what slavery did.”

The Glover Middle School audience was silent.

Maxine Maxwell’s characterizations of four black women breathed life into stereotypes of slavery and black feminism, fixing 400 pairs of young, restless eyes to the stage for a half hour.

The New York poet/actress performed for the Northwest Spokane middle school’s Martin Luther King Jr. assembly.

“Whether black, white, whatever, this a message for everyone,” said Glover principal Phil Newsum.

Maxwell was preceded on stage by Rev. Happy Watkins, the popular Spokane minister and African-American community leader. He gave an impassioned rendition of King’s “I have a dream” speech, the first time many had heard it performed.

“With this faith, we will be able to hue a stone of faith out of a mountain of despair,” he said, his basso voice vaulting to the gym roof.

And Aletha Everette’s gospels roused the students to clap along.

But Maxwell’s acting stilled the crowded, antsy with anticipation of the North Central High vs. Shadle Park High “Groovy Shoes” game later that day. The middle school feeds to both high schools; green and yellow tie-dyes mingled with red and black sweat shirts.

Her first character was Henrietta King, a slave disfigured when her master crushed her young face under a rocking chair for stealing a piece of candy.

Next, Sojourner Truth poked holes in the argument that men were superior - and the only ones who should vote - because Jesus was a man.

“Where’d your Christ come from?” Maxwell asked, deepening her voice and posing with hands on her hips. “God and a woman. Man had nuthin’ to do with it.”

Ida Wells reminisced about an 1883 train ride during which she refused to move to the “negro” car. She was awarded $500 in damages for being dragged off the train.

“Today, I can still remember the headline ‘Darkie Damsel Gets Damages,”’ said Maxwell, chuckling.

Last, affecting a hunched, tentative posture familiar to the audience, Maxwell became Elizabeth Eckford, the Arkansas high school student who was the first to attend a white school.

Jeers and leers greeted her at the bus stop, and followed her as she crossed the campus. “That was the longest block I ever walked,” said Maxwell.

She finished with an Alice Walker poem and a bow. The performance left teacher Anne Handler in tears. “We try to give them the kinds of experiences that lets them really feel,” said Handler.

Judging by the quiet during the performance and the applause after, they did.

Two students - one in Shadle Park green, the other in North Central red - walked out together.

“I didn’t get it,” said one.

“It’s us, you geek,” said the other.

Teacher of the Quarter

When she was a nurse, Suzanne Vingelen spent a lot of her time teaching.

Now a teacher, she’s one of the best. Vingelen, at Stevens Elementary, was named Spokane School District teacher of the quarter.

After nine years in nursing, Vingelen’s been a teacher just five years. She’s retained a new teacher’s curiosity, taking as many professional development classes as possible.

She lately has become enthusiastic about computers, and uses them with her first graders. The students turn projects on bears into interactive slide shows using computer software.

“They don’t have any fear, they aren’t like us, afraid to push the wrong button,” said Vingelen.

Neither is Vingelen, who seems to be pushing the right buttons herself.

Days lost will be made up

Deer Park students will make up two of the three school days lost during the early winter ice storm at the end of the school year.

The three make-up days will be March 21 and June 16-17.

Senior graduation remains June 7, but graduates must return June 9-10 to make up missed days.

Call the district office at 276-5051 for more information.

SP choral hosting spaghetti feed

The Shadle Park High choral department is hosting a spaghetti dinner to raise money for a spring trip to Disneyland.

The dinner will be Feb. 11, 5:30-8 p.m. in the school cafeteria. Students will be singing throughout.

Tickets must be purchased by Jan. 31 in the Shadle Park business office. Adult tickets are $5.50, seniors and children $4.50. Family tickets cost $20.

Students hope to raise $18,000 for the trip through fund-raisers held this winter and spring.

Call Karen Robinette at 467-5347 for more information.

, DataTimes MEMO: Education Notebook is a regular feature of the North Side Voice. If you have news about an interesting program or activity at a North Side school or about the achievements of North Side students, teachers or school staff, please let us know. Deadline is Monday. Write: Jonathan Martin, Education Notebook, North Side Voice, P.O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210. E-mail: jonathanm@spokesman.com. Call: 459-5484. Fax: 459-5482.