By Jake Fain
Staff Writer
Alpha Psi Omega promoted literacy and brought regional history to life in early October at Casey Jones Village in Jackson.
Union’s chapter of the national dramatic fraternity is made up of a select number of the Union University Players.
Members set up touring stations and did dramatic readings of children’s books as part of The Village’s literacy program for children. They plan to return when the event resumes in January 2013.
Former APO member Keaghlan Sheridan, a Union graduate, works at The Village and encouraged fraternity members to participate in its literacy campaign.
Casey Jones Village is named after railroad engineer Johnathan “Casey” Luther Jones, who died in 1900 when the train he was driving collided with a freight train stalled on the tracks in Vaughan, Miss.
Jones worked for the Illinois Central Railroad.
Sarah Halbrooke, senior English major and theater minor, donned period costume and spoke to children as historical figure Geneva Brownlow, whom Jones saved from being run over by a train in 1895 in Michigan City, Miss.
“We strive to reignite the theatrical arts in our school and community through service and entertainment,” Halbrooke said. “We live our lives through dramatic expression, constantly searching for new venues of communication, and while we are hoping to get the children into reading, we’re also learning more about the history of Jackson ourselves.”
Fraternity members plan to use period clothing in future performances to add flair to their own dramatic readings of books supplied by The Village. Subjects of the books vary.
“We believed that this was a great way to give back to the community with the use of our theatric roots rather than straying from what we’re all about,” said Leeana Cargile, senior speech and theater education major. “We also hope to perform in The Village more once this event is over since they have so many great performing spaces.”
The Village is home to the Historic Casey Jones Home and Railroad Museum, Brooks Shaw’s Old Country Store, a small collection of shops and Providence Hall.
Deborah Laman, who handles marketing and public relations for The Village, encourages students to stop by.
“We love having college students visit since Union is our neighbor,” Laman said. “We highly encourage students to come and learn the history that’s available. We also have lovely home cooked meals from (the Old Country Store) that would be great for any students who are somewhat far from home for the semester.”
Casey Jones was born on March 14, 1863. He died attempting to slow his train, which was full with passengers. No other fatalities were reported.
