Students whose work dismantled seek help

Gilbert parents, students and a history teacher have turned to state officials for help in getting back their beloved Civil War diorama, which was taken apart by a Texas museum director last year.

Teacher aims to bring diorama back to life

Four Highland High School students, three parents and history teacher Glen Frakes met with an aide to Gov. Janet Napolitano and three state lawmakers Wednesday morning to seek help and tell their story.

The group wants thediorama returned so they can rebuild it after Texas Military Forces Museum director Jeff Hunt "dismantled" the diorama because he said it was "historically inaccurate."

They also want to see Hunt held accountable for his actions and pay to have the diorama shipped back to Gilbert and fixed.

About 200 students and four teachers from Highland High spent more than three years and more than 6,000 hours donating their time to paint, assemble and construct the Battle of Palmetto Ranch scene.

Commissioned by the Texas museum at Camp Mabry in Austin, Texas, the diorama cost the Museum Foundation $19,000 for materials and was shipped to the museum in August. It's the fifth diorama Frakes and his students were commissioned to do by the museum.

Highland senior Krystle Martnick worked for two years painting 100 of the tiny soldiers and working on the landscaping during school, after school and from home. She said she felt "unbelief" when she heard the diorama had been dismantled.

"I think Hunt should be charged with vandalism," Martnick said. "I think he should pay for any extra repairs, and he should be fired."

The Highland group is hoping the governor will write a letter on their behalf. They asked Lauren Kielsmeier, an education policy adviser for the governor, to pass on a letter to the governor asking for her help.

Kielsmeier said she doesn't know what she can do but promised to keep in touch with the group. She said she may be able to set up a future meeting with the governor.

The Highland group also met with Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Gilbert), Sen. John Huppenthal (R-Chandler) and Sen. Thayer Verschoor (R-Gilbert).

Huppenthal said he might seek help with the state National Guard, which can contact Texas' National Guard. He also talked about putting together a resolution to commend the students' work and ask further about the diorama's future.

"It's a phenomenal exhibit," Huppenthal said.

Biggs said he will see who he knows in the Texas Legislature who might want to investigate, and will get "hopping" on this.

"You've got to be crazed to do this. I don't get it," Biggs said. "I wish I could tell you we can solve this. The only thing we can do is give them pressure."

Verschoor said he will work one step at a time to get the diorama back in Arizona.

"It's quite literally a piece of art," he said. "Whether it's inaccurate or not, it shouldn't have been dismantled."

Frakes said he felt "pretty good" and "encouraged" about the responses the group received.

Highland junior Alyssa Baxter said she was "devastated" when the diorama was destroyed and wants to help repair it.

Each of the 750 soldiers is hand painted and hand assembled from 12 metal pieces. No two soldiers are alike, and each is in various forms of battle. Each of the 110 mounted riders is assembled from 42 different pieces.

George Scott visited the Capitol in place of his son, Jonathan Scott, who worked on the diorama. "These kids put their heart into this," Scott said. "Their taste for community service has been ruined."