Each year, students at Bay Shore High School have the opportunity to attend a Black History Month celebration hosted by the history department. This year’s presentations took place on Friday, Feb. 7, and Feb. 14 during periods 1 through 9. This event was organized by the Brothers and Sisters Organization (BSO) along with student volunteers from various classes and clubs.
“It is imperative to have a Black History Month celebration at the building level to acknowledge the history and contributions of Black people in the United States. In this yearly presentation, students get to take on leadership roles, practice their public speaking skills and feel proud of our diversity here at Bay Shore. In recent years, the presentation has been created, curated and delivered by students, which makes it all that much more powerful,” said African-American Studies teacher Gabriela Calderon.
The presentations were created by students from the African-American Studies and African-American Literature classes, as well as volunteers from other clubs. This year’s Black History Month presentations were even more meaningful because of the collaborative effort behind them. Students who participate in the African-American Studies class, AP English, and community service clubs like BSO worked together to create a meaningful experience for their peers. They were filled with education and inspiration. Throughout the assembly, there were impactful poetry readings, which helped to show the traditions of the Black community. The focus then shifted to Black entrepreneurship and art, showing how these fields are very powerful. The event closed with a wonderful performance by the school’s dance team.
“A lot of the time black history is erased and I think that a lot of people here don’t know about the behind the scenes. A lot of black history and culture gets ignored, so I think that educating people that don’t really know about it is super important,” said senior Ismalay Tejada Santos.
It was clear that Bay Shore High School’s commitment to recognizing Black excellence has resonated with students. During the assembly, the engagement on students’ faces and expressions in the audience was evident.
“I learned so many interesting things about history that I didn’t know and I was really entertained the whole time. The dance team’s performance was amazing as well and really kept the mood up,” said freshman Griffin Christie.
As we continue to honor Black History, it’s important to remember the history that people of color have made and the accomplishments that people don’t pay attention to. Bay Shore’s annual Black History Month presentations are a very important part of the school’s effort to educate and celebrate all members of its diverse community. It is a great reminder of the importance of honoring Black culture and history.
