Forensics students invade Rose Hill

Published 10:07 am Friday, October 17, 2014

DAILY LEADER / KATIE WILLIAMSON / Forensics students take a break from practice Wednesday morning. Pictured are (front row, from left) Ryanne Britt, Elaina Madison, Reagan Whittington, Mackenzie Wells, Kaisha Turner, Sha'kira Henderson, Krystal Rice,  Kaitlin Moore, Ashlyn Flynn; (back row) Dylan Lewis, Taylor Pendley, Eric Williams, Nick Rivera, Austin Collins, Tabari Fells and Jack Lowery.

DAILY LEADER / KATIE WILLIAMSON / Forensics students take a break from practice Wednesday morning. Pictured are (front row, from left) Ryanne Britt, Elaina Madison, Reagan Whittington, Mackenzie Wells, Kaisha Turner, Sha’kira Henderson, Krystal Rice, Kaitlin Moore, Ashlyn Flynn; (back row) Dylan Lewis, Taylor Pendley, Eric Williams, Nick Rivera, Austin Collins, Tabari Fells and Jack Lowery.

Brookhaven High School students invaded Rosehill Cemetery Friday morning to share the history and heritage of Brookhaven.

Brookhaven Biographies, presented by the BHS forensics team, was one of the many student efforts to contribute to the homecoming festivities. Students participating will either take on the character of different city leaders or guide the audience to each character.

Carol Clanton, forensics instructor, said they have done Brookhaven Biographies for many years. There was a few-year hiatus, but when Anna Rachel Breeland was in high school she wanted to bring it back.

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Clanton found it to be a wonderful way for the group to give back to the community.

“People don’t know about our history,” she said. “I love when the kids begin to develop an understanding that this benefits the community.”

Three years later, the students are excited to share the knowledge they have discovered.

Shania Dixon will be taking on the persona of Fannie L. Mullins. She said her quest was to find out why she had a building named after her.

“She treated her children like her own,” she said.

Dixon said she is excited to share what she’s learned with the community.

“I’m looking forward to educating some of our fellow citizens on our history,” she said. “It was built on a lot of love and passion.”

Taylor Pendley will be representing W.L. Roach, a former principal of BHS. His favorite part of his monologue are Roach’s personal experiences that are in it.

“I’m excited about showing people the history of Brookhaven,” he said.

Mackenzie Wells will play the part of Theresia Abshagan, a former English teacher.

“She was so real with her students,” she said.

Wells said much of her monologue comes from annual excerpts.

For those interested in learning more about the history of Brookhaven, visit the forensics team in Rosehill Friday.