Students impacted: 850
Duration of partnership: 5 years

Living History Tours of Live Oak Cemetery is a community-based civic project in which sixth-graders in the school's gifted program portray more than 25 influential personalities who were laid to rest in the cemetery. These free tours are designed to educate students, adults and community members along the coast about the history of Pass Christian. They also provide opportunities for students to apply leadership skills, creative and critical problem solving, and research and communication skills. 

Participation in the Living History Tours of Live Oak Cemetery increased from an initial group of eight students five years ago to 40 students for the most recent production. Students not only share the stories and history of Pass Christian, but they have also raised $2,000 to reconstruct a metal archway at the cemetery entrance that was destroyed in 1969 by Hurricane Camille.  

Activities:
• Only history tour on coast produced completely by students
• Students dress in authentic costumes and use props to bring characters to life
• Students made hundreds of luminary bags and tiki torches to light tour paths and scenes
• Fundraising activities to replace metal archway at entrance of Live Oak Cemetery

Impacts:
• Tours have raised approximately $2,000 to-date
• Growing sense of pride in community heritage
• 100% participation from 6th grade Journey students
• 47 returning students teamed with Journey students to make this year’s tour program the largest ever