The auditorium lights dimmed and a hush came over the audience. In the following 55 minutes, students’ pride shined through their singing, dancing, poetry and speaking. The assembly on Feb. 27 marked the end of Black History Month at Hickman by uplifting Black voices and getting Hickman students and staff involved in the celebration of Black history.

Black Americans’ contributions are felt in society everywhere and this is no different at Hickman.

For example, a digital printer can receive a student’s English paper and print it off thanks to Mark Dean’s work in the industry standard architecture system for computing. In classes like Advanced Placement Environmental Science, students can thank George Washington Carver for their lesson about soil health. In the halls, two friends of different races can meet up because of Ruby Bridges’ brave decision to attend a previously all-White school, but also because of the thousands of protestors, legislators and leaders that made that decision possible. 

This year’s Black History Month theme, A Century of Black History Commemorations, celebrates Black History Month’s centennial by asking people to recognize and reflect on the struggles and triumphs of Black people across history. 

“By focusing on a century of remembrance, the theme encourages both institutions and individuals to consider how Black history has been taught, whose stories have been amplified, and how future commemorations can continue to deepen understanding, accuracy, and inclusion,” Atah Knighten, Assistant Principal and member of the Black History Month planning committee, said.

Black History month guest speaker Micah Hill, a senior from Rockbridge High School, describes the importance of representation and recognition in his poem “Brown on brown” that he read during the assembly.

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Micah Hill is a senior from Rockbridge invited to perform at the Black History Month assembly where he read his poem "Brown on brown". The poem discusses segregation and racial disparities in America while highligting past, present and future progress.

“The brown that fills the television screen, the hair that curls, is an indirect message to all of the Black boys and girls, that they are everything and more,” he wrote. 

Hickman has spent the past month recognizing these exact values through events celebrating Black History Month.

Week one started the celebration off strong. The first defining activity was Hickman’s classic Door Decorating Competition. This gave teachers and students the opportunity to work together to decorate a class door, honoring black history in their designs. Taking the winning title once again this year was the MAC Scholars resource room.

“Decorating your classroom door for Black History Month is a great way to get your student’s creativity to shine through and to send out a powerful message,” Dana Carter, Hickman’s Home School Communicator and member of the Black History Month planning committee, said. 

The first week ended with Food Truck Day, where Black-owned food trucks come during lunch.

“Food is not just a part of [Black History Month], it is Black history. Food represents where we’ve been, what we endured, how we survived. and how we continue to thrive. Every dish tells a story, every meal is remembrance and every table is a classroom,” Carter said. 

Week two followed with the Black History Month student spirit week, which offered students a way to actively participate in the celebrations. 

“Observing Black History Month is more than watching a documentary or posting a quote on social media.  It is an opportunity for active engagement and learning,” Knighten said.

Week three was marked by the Black Business expo. By choosing Black business owners for Food Truck day and the expo, Hickman supports and inspires students to pursue entrepreneurship on their own.

“[Black businesses] foster an understanding of diverse business practices and perspectives, encourage discussions about economic and financial literacy… [and] create networking opportunities with local business owners,” Carter said.

The celebration culminated at the end of week four with the Black History Month assembly. Here, students performed musical numbers and poetry to honor important Black artists throughout history.

The assembly was made to “promote awareness of Black history and culture within the school community, honor the achievements and contributions of Black leaders and innovators, encourage students to reflect on the ongoing impact of racism and discrimination… [and] provide a platform for student voices and creative expression through performances and presentations,” Carter said.

Certain activities happened continuously throughout the week. Music by Black artists played every passing period and the morning announcements concluded with a Black history trivia question each day.

“Daily Trivia questions and answers offer a fun and interactive way to learn, reflect and spark meaningful conversations about Black culture, leaders, milestones and movements… all month long,” Carter said.

Though issues such as budgeting, scheduling and even picking from a vast amount of ideas for celebrating posed some logistical challenges, Carter explains that the fun and education make it worth the hard work.

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Tessa Johnson

Senior Teresa Oroni dances in her recreation of Beyonce's 2024 Super Bowl Half Time show. The "Beyonce Bowl" show and Hickman's tribute performance are a celebration of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and their contributions to education, civil rights reform, music and general college culture.

“It is so much fun to work with our students and staff who support these celebrations and share the experiences offered during Black History Month.  I personally learn a little more each year about our Black History and those who contributed to American History during this month,” Carter said.

Knighten describes that events help students connect with their community and Black history as a whole.

“I want students to recognize that Black history is not confined to a single month or a few well-known figures. It is American history. It is world history. It is innovation, resilience, creativity, leadership and excellence woven into every field,” Knighten said.

Hickman’s Black History Month events offer students the ability to participate and reflect on the importance of Black figures in their life by celebrating through the theme of A Century of Black History Commemorations 

“Educate yourself on the theme.  Take time to read about the history of Black labor in our country.  Understand the contributions Black workers have made to specific industries.  The ASALH website offers resources and executive summaries that provide deep context for the annual theme,” Knighten said.