The arrival of the MSMS class of 2027 rings in a new wave of Tales from the Crypt researchers and performers. MSMS history teacher Chuck Yarborough, who has taught Tales from the Crypt for 25 years, helps students harness local history.
Tales from the Crypt is a year-long research, presentation and performance project. Students in Yarborough’s class choose the name of someone connected to Lowndes County, many of whom rest in Friendship Cemetery. Throughout the year, students scour resources online and in the community to uncover lives once lived in Lowndes County.
The 50 juniors in the class have thus far selected their research subjects and stepped foot into Friendship Cemetery, where they will return in the spring to give the 36th annual performance.
The students’ recent trip to the cemetery sparked spirits.
Junior Irene Doyle said her trip to the cemetery provided her with physical evidence of her subject’s life, which revealed the true scope of the project.
“Before, [my research subject] was just a random name on a list. Then, we went to the cemetery, and we saw their actual grave site and family members. We got a little insight into their story,” Doyle said.
Doyle said she was intrigued by her subject’s life, a Jewish man whose family fled from Germany to Columbus toward the end of the 19th century.
“I think the timing was interesting. Moving from Germany at a time when there was a lot going on there,” Doyle said.
Junior Colton Woodward, like Doyle, said seeing his subject’s resting place was key in understanding the story he was telling.
“I found going to the cemetery to be a great experience,” Woodward said. “The trip allowed us to see who our subjects were. Instead of just some words on some paper or on a screen, [they were] people who lived real lives in the real world.”
Moving from grave sites to the classroom, the class has just begun researching their chosen subjects. When students know little more than a subject’s name, some opt for the coolest one. Woodward chose America Jackson and Henry “Armstrong” Jackson Jr. for their unique characters.
Junior Margot Hoffman opted for girl power and a name that rolls off the tongue.
“My research subject is Nellie Sutton Keirn, and honestly, I chose her because the name sounded super interesting to me and because she was one of the only girls left,” Hoffman said.
The initial lack of information puts students on edge. Junior Jayla Gholston said Tales from the Crypt is unlike any class she has taken before.
“I’m nervous, not going to lie,” Gholston said. “I’ve never done a research-based class before.”
Despite the early uncertainty, the goal of becoming a performer is at the top of some students’ minds.
“I really, really want to be a performer,” Doyle said. “I love theater, so I’m looking forward to the chance to perform and just lean into the theater kid aspect of it.”
Even those without the desire for dramatic performance are looking forward to this side of Tales from the Crypt.
“I want to see everyone act out their people and how they’ll turn their schoolwork into something else,” Gholston said.
Everyone — student or otherwise — has something to look forward to. Yarborough said his favorite part of the project is his students.
“They’ve done typical schoolwork, which is research and paper writing. When we get into the cemetery and hundreds of people are there, the students suddenly recognize they have a voice,” Yarborough said. “Their voice will impact the community, and the community values them.”
Yarborough said he has witnessed a transformative relationship evolve between Tales from the Crypt students and their community.
“I see students transformed into community leaders in those moments, utilizing their research and writing to give voice to whatever their perception of the community is,” Yarborough said.
There is much to uncover as the junior class explores the deep-rooted story of Columbus.
