Springfield HS students mark Black History Month with county council
MEDIA » Delaware County Council welcomed students from Springfield High School to its Feb. 7 for presentations on famous Pennsylvania musicians and artists in observance of Black History Month. Every February, County Council recognizes the accomplishments of African Americans throughout history in addition to the accomplishments of those living in Delaware County.
For the meeting, Delaware County Court of Common Judge Nichols and his wife, Cheryl Nichols, a retired teacher who taught in the Wallingford Swarthmore School District for 32 years, invited students to make a special Black History Month presentation and receive a tour of the Delaware County Courthouse. As scholars of African American history, Judge Nichols and Cheryl strive to bring history to life for a new generation of young people so they can carry on the work of their ancestors.
For the presentation, Springfield High School seniors Camryn Council, Arathi Pillai, Nia Stevenson, and junior Sarah Dahleh, presented the history of famous African Americans from the Philadelphia region, including Ed Bradley, Octavius Catto, Jill Scott, Gamble and Huff, and Chester’s Ethel Waters. The students also recited a poem and performed a powerful a cappella rendition of Patti LaBelle’s “If Only You Knew.”
“Today, as a collective group, we draw on the strength and diversity of our great county, as exemplified by the talents of these young women with us today,” said Chairman John P. McBlain. “We are proud to continue to celebrate the lives and accomplishments of great African American leaders. It’s by learning about the struggles our ancestors faced, as they broke down barriers for us, that future generations can continue to work for equality and fairness for all people.”
At the meeting, council also welcomed Fonda Akins, an award-winning learning support teacher who has taught in the Springfield School District for 23 years. In addition to teaching, Akins is the cosponsor of a multi-cultural group called REACH, which stands for Respecting Ethnic and Cultural Heritage. She is also advisor of The DuBois Honor Society.
Each student was presented a resolution in recognition of their efforts to highlight the achievements of African Americans and designate the central role that they took in shaping U.S. history.
Black History Month was started in 1926 by Carter G. Woodson, a descendent of slaves who became a noted author, educator and a dean at Howard University in Washington, D.C.