On Feb. 13, Prairie High School's Black Student Union led a schoolwide celebration of Black history through a special assembly. The assembly highlighted some of the many examples of strength, resilience and creativity that have defined Black history and continue to inspire in the present.
Student speakers reflected on leaders such as Frederick Douglass, Rosa Parks, Madam C.J. Walker and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., among others, emphasizing their courage and perseverance.
A highlight of the assembly was a dance performance by BSU members that emphasized community impact through art. The assembly also featured a special guest speaker, Paul Porter, a planner for the city of Vancouver who shared insights about community, belonging and the importance of working together to create spaces where everyone belongs.
Through student leadership and meaningful performances, the Black Student Union demonstrated that Black History Month is not only about honoring the past, but about recognizing the present and shaping the future.
BSU members include Makhi Harris, Boonme Keough, Elijah Aponte, Shadae Jacques, Nala Roberts, Chasetin Hyde, Mya Brown and Justyne Glover. CJ Schiller is their adviser.
"Black history is not just something we study, it's something we see, hear, feel and experience every day. It lives in culture. It lives in music. It lives in movement. It lives in the community." -- Prairie High School Black Student Union