Latham Ridge students performed as Revolutionary War military leaders during the district's Learning Enrichment Program Fair in late March.

April 16, 2009 - Latham Ridge fifth-graders used a famous Revolutionary War painting as the basis of a performance about the British army's surrender in Saratoga.

The students performed their act and presented research at the district's fifth-grade Learning Enrichment Program Fair in late March. The theme of the fair was "A Microcosm of the Revolutionary War." Each school presented a different aspect of the Revolutionary War period, and Latham Ridge researched military strategies.

Latham Ridge students researched the Battle of Saratoga, and they used John Trumbull's painting "Burgoyne's Surrender at Saratoga" as the basis of a performance in which British and American military leaders who are in the painting discussed their strategies during the Battles of Saratoga, as well as what they were thinking as the battles were waged. The students painted a background based on the painting and performed as British Gen. John Burgoyne and Americans Gen. Benedict Arnold and Col. Daniel Morgan. The students presented extensive research and a concurrent Powerpoint presentation that showed maps and other illustrations to support the speeches.

Although Arnold is infamous for his treason against the United States, he was a hero during the Revolutionary War and lead the decisive charges that won the battles in Saratoga. However, his role was marginalized at the time because of his antipathy toward Gen. Horatio Gates, who was in command of the American forces during the battles. Arnold was not at the surrender, as Trumbull's painting suggests, but in an Albany hospital with a shattered leg.