Inspirational Black History Month assemblies educated and entertained at Westerville North (top), Westerville South (bottom left) and Westerville Central (bottom right).
Black History Month was observed in all three Westerville high schools during February, when each building engaged in a number of activities designed to celebrate and enlighten.
Central’s assembly, titled Back to Africa – the Meaning and History of Africa Road, took on a local historical spin. The assembly featured a young African American man who time-traveled from 1962. He, and the audience, learned that in 1859, slaves from a North Carolina plantation owned by the Alston family were sent north. The plantation’s mistress disapproved of slavery and arranged for the slaves to travel to Ohio and freedom. These slaves moved to the community of Africa, lived in log homes, were employed by anti-slavery farmers, and joined the Wesleyan Methodist Church. After the Civil War, the freed slaves left Africa and settled in the communities of Delaware and Westerville, and Van Wert and Paulding counties. The assembly featured songs, dances, and narratives depicting the African American experience, past and present. Teacher Kyle King directed the program.
The students and staff at Westerville North came together the evening of February 14 for their annual Black History Month program. The theme for this year’s celebration was Remember, Educate, Celebrate with a special emphasis on the need for unity. The program combined singing, authentic dance, video presentations, and even a fashion show. The night wrapped up with a powerful statement of unity from the whole cast, urging the audience to love each other, support one another, and stand together as Warriors, as a community, and as a nation. Teacher Damon Mollenkopf directed.
Westerville South Cats for Unity and Black History Month clubs organized a month-long celebration that included daily announcements, career readiness workshops, and a college fair. The career readiness workshops were held each Tuesday and focused on Healthcare, Finance, Business and Law. The college fair featured some 20 universities including schools like Tuskegee University, Alabama A&M, University of Louisville and Eastern Michigan University. The event attracted more than 100 students. The annual Black History Month assembly was a dynamic show that included dancing, musical selections and a history lesson about the unknown heroes of the civil rights era and what they accomplished. The show featured lessons on Jeremiah Hamilton, Angela Davis and many other historical heroes that might be Unknown, Untaught, and Unappreciated.