DOWAGIAC — Though Dowagiac Rotary Club meetings are typically filled with people dressed in suits, ties and other business attire, Thursday’s meeting was attended by people wearing traditional Quaker outfits, large brimmed hats and floor skimming aprons.

The outfits were worn by Cassopolis middle and high school students who presented to the club a performance about the Kentucky Raid of 1847.

The Kentucky Raid of 1847 occurred when Kentucky slave owners came to Cassopolis in search of freedom seeking slaves that had fled to the area, which was a known home to the Quakers and Underground Railroad Stations. The residents of Cass County stood their ground against the Kentuckians, and no African-Americans were kidnapped or returned to Kentucky. The presentation also covered the ensuing trial.

The students previously performed the same piece at the Bonine House in Vandalia in June.

For the presentation, each student, dressed as a different character in the narrative in order to tell the story.  The students each volunteered to work the presentation, spent time researching, writing and rehearsing their own parts. Many of the students have participated in the club for years.

“A lot of us had to write one or two page essays and memorize the whole thing,” said student Madison Payne. “We spend three or four hours just researching, rehearsing and becoming our parts.”

Felomina Patton, an adult who supervises and leads the group, said the students work hard to learn the history and preserve it for Cass County residents.

“This was our first year telling the Kentucky Raid and doing something a little different,” Patton said. “The students worked hard and did well.”

Rotarian Barb Groner said she was happy with the presentation and glad that the students took the time to present to the Rotary club.

“For 30 years, I was employed by Cassopolis Public Schools,” Groner said. “So, it really does my heart good to see such wonderful things being done by Cassopolis Public Schools students. … I think this is a wonderful opportunity for [the students].”

Groner also said that the Rotary club had donated money to the student club through the Dowagiac Rotary Charitable Foundation, which all Rotarians give to through their dues each year, other donating more regularly.

“This is one way to know your money is going toward local projects and things our club decides on,” Groner said. “I think that’s important. … I’m very thankful for [the students] coming here today.”