The Paul Knox Middle School Chorus ended Friday's Black History Month program with an inspirational message, singing “Rise Up.”
The song, written and recorded by Andra Day, has become an anthem of hope and punctuated perfectly the program's theme: “Empowering Everyone by Moving Forward and Reaching Back.”
The chorus and band also honored Martin Luther King Jr. with a performance of the Civil Rights anthem “We Shall Overcome.”
In addition to music, the program included poetry, visual arts and biographies of African-American pioneers in science and engineering and arts and entertainment, including the band's performance of “What a Wonderful World,” by jazz legend Louis Armstrong.
The program began with inspirational words, too, from the Rev. Dr. Charles E. Goodman Jr., the senior pastor at Tabernacle Baptist Church in Augusta, and Katrell Nash, a lawyer with the Nash Law Office LLC in Augusta.
Goodman challenged the students “always be better.”
“You must treat each other right. You need to learn to love and appreciate yourself. And always strive to be your best self,” he said.
Read the full Aiken Standard Article HERE.