One might think that they traveled back in time when walking into the Media Center Cafe. Classical music, European refreshments and some very outdated wigs filled the makeshift salon as AP European History students roleplayed as their Enlightenment figure. 

Students pretended to be popular Enlightenment figures like John Locke, Frederick the Great and Mary Wollstonecraft. Small group discussions allowed students to introduce themselves and learn about other important characters in European history in an unconventional way. 

Luke Miller, the AP European History teacher and “Time Traveler,” bought refreshments, wigs and tricorn hats in anticipation of the salon. While students were pondering women’s rights and economic policies of the late 18th century, Miller took pictures, injected ideas when lulls in the conversations arose, and seemed to enjoy listening to students’ discussions while munching on a wafer or two.

Likewise, students ate their fill of meringues, croissants, and pain au chocolats while discussing–or borderline arguing–their character’s views.

“My conversations were pretty civilized,” Tanish Mittal said, a senior who played Voltaire. “But I could hear King Louis XV and Madame de Geoffrin yelling at each other next to me and it was pretty funny.”

Leading up to the event, students chose their Enlightenment figure and researched their key values, historical significance and nuances on a variety of topics. 

The salon isn’t the only instance where AP European History stands out. Dirt cake cups, Guess Who games and history specials on vampires are just a few of Miller’s unique antics in the class. And they’re working; many of his students expressed positive remarks about the class because of the fun environment, games and Miller.

“It seems silly, but I definitely remember a bunch of stuff from this,” said Charlie Bourgeois, a junior who played Baron de Montesquieu. “You can tell Miller enjoys teaching this class, and I really enjoy taking it.”