Students celebrate their diversity

Students and community members packed the cafetorium of Southview Middle School on Feb. 22 for its third Black History Program.

This year’s theme was “Celebrating Diversity” and the speakers and performers who took the stage, 2321 Fairless Drive in Lorain, sought to reinforce that within the students.

A committee of three teachers: Jeff Pye, Cathy Burchell and Karen Calloway planned the event.

Burchell said the first time the Black History Program took place was seven years ago and the school did not have another for five years.

When the committee came together once more last year they revitalized it.

“Mr. Pye gets all kinds of speakers from the community to come in and inspire students,” she said. “Along with that, we have our Diversity Luncheon where people celebrate their heritage by bringing in foods from their heritage.”

In addition to food brought in by staff, Burchell said there were donations from the Prince Hall Masons of Lorain County.

She also highlighted a performance by some of the students where a group of girls performed a poem by Maya Angelou and the boys gave some facts about Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Du Bois.

Despite issues with the sound system, Burchell said the students performed well.

“These students volunteered and I think they did

a fabulous job,” she said.

Pye said the event is important to the school community because it urges students to accept themselves and each other no matter their cultural background.

“We’re not only celebrating black history, we’re celebrating diversity,” he said. “We live in a diverse town with people from different ethnic backgrounds.

“So it’s important for us to know some of these things, and be aware of it and respect it.

“We’re all human beings and it’s all about loving each other and respecting each other for our differences.”

After a brief game of Simon Says, and after calling one student out by name for not paying attention, Lorain City Schools CEO David Hardy Jr. also touched on the topic of loving one’s self.

“I want you to remember this: Pride starts inside,” Hardy said asking the students to repeat it to him like a mantra.

Hardy then asked the students to take out their phones and take a selfie.

“Why did I ask you to take a picture of yourself?” he asked the students. “Because you need to accept yourself and the beauty that’s inside of you.”

ERIC BONZAR —T HE MORNING JOURNAL A group of Southview Middle School history scholars recite Maya Angelou’s poem, “Phenomenal Woman,” during the school’s Black History Program to celebrate diversity Feb. 22, in Lorain.

ERIC BONZAR — THE MORNING JOURNAL One Body Male Gospel Chorus performs the popular gospel song, “Jesus on the Mainline,” during the Black History Program on Feb. 22, to celebrate diversity at Southview Middle School in Lorain.