Third-grader Thomas Reddinger portrays President Donald Trump on Friday, Feb. 17 as third-graders at Mars Elementary put on a wax museum of presidents and first ladies. Justin Guido/Butler Eagle

ADAMS TWP — Parents, grandparents and siblings gathered at Mars Area Elementary School on Friday afternoon for what has become an annual Presidents Day tradition.

Fifty-three third-graders in the classes of Kim Thomas and Jennifer McClelland explored American history by taking on the roles of past presidents and first ladies at the school’s annual wax museum event in the school’s cafeteria.

The program, a Mars Area School District history education mainstay since 2004 — in 2021 COVID protocols canceled in-person presentations — had students dressed as presidents and first ladies and giving presentations in-character to visiting parents, relatives and other students passing by.