I created a Google Form asking the students the following questions. What’s their favorite food, favorite side, and favorite drink?

I received 94 responses. I thought this was fun to do because I did not expect the responses I received.

The top spot for Favorite Food is Pizza, and it had over 26.6% of the votes! Their favorite side was French Fries, which had over 33% of the votes! The result for the drinks was Soda, and the percentage for soda was 22.3%. Please check out the charts with all the information on them below.

Black History Month is for all people to celebrate. In fact, I'd like to believe that this month’s recognition shows hope and the great possibility to bring positive change.

Black History Month has been around since 1926, originally being a week to celebrate Abraham Lincoln and Fredrick Douglass's birthday and about their symbolic rules for change for a people who were historically judged. Then, it was inevitably beginning to be celebrated as a month in the mid 1960s at the height of the civil rights movement. Carter G. Woodson, the founder, believed black history should forever be taught in schools and elsewhere, not just for a week. His contribution was meant to appreciate those who stood up against racism and revolted for reform against unfair principles.

Malcolm X

One individual who wasn't afraid to take action against those oppressing his people was Malcolm X. Malcolm was born in Omaha, Nebraska, in 1925. He was born into a large family and had 10 siblings. His father was a priest and was often harassed by a copycat of the KKK, the Black Legion. Growing up, Malcolm watched the actions of racism tear apart his family.

He eventually moved to New York and became involved in crime, and he eventually was caught breaking and entering, stealing things with a group of criminals. He was sentenced to nearly 10 years in prison for his actions. When he entered prison, he was unable to write, read, or spell. He learned to read and write by copying the entire dictionary. He believed in order to get somewhere in this world one must have knowledge, and to him, knowledge was power. While in this prison, his brother, Wilfred, introduced the nation of Islam to Malcolm, and this deeply changed Malcolm.

Malcolm became a speaker and shared his beliefs with many people and followers. At some point, a fire sabotaged Malcolm's home with him, his wife, and his children all sleeping. He was unsure who caused this, but he knew someone wanted him dead. A week later, despite his friends who were fearful and encouraging him to not speak, Malcolm gave what would be his last speech. Malcolm always felt he would be murdered, but his mission to his people was all he ever wanted. His people came first, even over his own life.

Martin Luther and Coretta Scott King

Everyone speaks of Martin Luther King but often forgets to recognize his wife. Coretta Scott King who was born in Marion, Alabama in 1927. She married Martin in 1953 and became involved in activism alongside him. She was involved with the Montgomery bus boycott in 1955 and the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Following her husband’s death, she founded the King Center in Atlanta, which focused on change without violence. Coretta worked as a public mediator and as a liaison to peace organizations, and her goal was always peace and equality. She raised the question: why there weren’t more women activists in the movements? In doing so, she influenced many to join.

During the Vietnam War, she openly expressed her feelings, which caused her to be placed under FBI surveillance for a few years. Not only was she involved in the African American Community, but in the women’s rights movement as well. She spread awareness about social indifferences in the USA and abroad, receiving the award of Universal Love.

Coretta made changes in the world. She participated in events that threatened her livelihood and her children as well. People don’t always take kindly to changes, and she refused to let her influences be disputed. She allowed her husband’s legacy to live on, although it would’ve regardless, but she gave it an extra spark that reminded people that even though someone’s gone, doesn’t mean the light is. Sadly, her life was cut short in 2006 due to ovarian cancer and cerebral vascular disease. Their children live out their long established family name.

Changes are hard to come by but not impossible. These people, this month, all resemble hope. They brought change in ways we may never find anymore. They will forever be remembered and will always have a place in our history. We are people, not stones.