Prep for the Black History Assembly

By Noor Ahmed

The annual Black History Assembly has always been the height of the school year. From the amazing dance performances, to the singing, to the band covers, and to the highlighted learning aspect, the assembly has always been an integral part of SHS. However, this year things have changed with COVID coming and the school not being to host large events this year. The Black History Club has had to work extra hard this year to make this year’s assembly safe and memorable with the current climate

The committee chair of the assembly, Whitney Acquah, spoke to us briefly about the changes and how the club is currently working alongside them. “It is a lot harder because we can’t meet in person, so instead of an assembly we are doing a video. Even though it’s harder I feel as though this years assembly ‘will be very impactful on everyone who watches it.’” She talked about how instead of throwing an assembly the club will be putting together a video. In the video there will be different sections that touch upon important topics in Black History and current events.

Speaking with another club member, Gabby Gedeon, we further discussed the plans for the video and some of the troubles the club is facing with the preparation. “This year we’re kind of putting a video together. For hybrid students, they’ll probably watch it in their classes, we’re not completely sure about remote students and how to get them to watch it yet.” The main problem the club is facing is getting the presentation across to all the students. There are so many options for this, but so many obstacles also stand in the way of it. There is no doubt that the club will find a solution and still make the video accessible to all.

Gabby also spoke to us about some new features the club created to have more students involved. “We have some acts that I feel like students will think about and relate to so that they can be engaged and learn something. We also hope our prompt will get more students’ attention. Usually we have a writing prompt, but this year our prompt is open to all forms of art instead of just writing so that more students can join in.” Even with the problem with COVID and the fact of having to stay socially distanced, the club has been able to create and find new ways to travel students participate in activities and spark an interest in the club.

Even with the changes made because of COVID the club has been able to find a way to make it work and still deliver an amazing and informative video to the students. The club members, new and old, have been able to work together to deliver and create something that will help carry on the tradition of the yearly assembly while also being able to maintain COVID guidelines. We have to hand it to them and the club advisors, Mr Gonzalez and Ms Lawlor, for being able to still be able to put together an amazing video that will for sure go down as one of the most memorable assemblies.