History came alive in Aiken County Public Schools throughout February as schools celebrated Black History Month through programs featuring a variety of performances and speakers.
North Augusta Elementary, which held their first annual Black History Month event, focused on student-led activities to share with their school. A fashion show, dance number, a living wax museum as well as a art and essay contest were on display.
“I'm hoping that they see that that black history really encompasses American history. You know, there's so many contributions and achievements that we wouldn't have made without the help of African Americans,” Angelika Davis-Raby, a third grade teacher at North Augusta Elementary said. “I want them to know that it's not singular to just this month, that they make an impact, or their impact is felt every single day.”
Guests from the community also made their way to several schools. An abbreviated performance of the Broadway play ‘The Color Purple’ was performed by The Augusta Players at Ridge-Spring Monette Middle High School, while members of the Divine 9 sororities and HBCU graduates visited North Aiken Elementary School.
“I think for the climate of our country, the biggest message and the biggest takeaway is that our differences are what makes us special,” guest speaker Caroline Mack-Hill said. “Our differences are what makes us unique and helps us to grow as a community, and that it's important for us to be kind to other people, that if we lead with kindness and love, that we will find the answers, and we can find the answers together.”
“I hope that this generation reaches a point where we, and that we, as adults, start to help our children learn that black history is everybody's history. That we're all a part of this. Even these children that will perform in the program are making history,” Mack-Hill shared. “Their futures are endless, the possibilities for them are endless. They really are the dreams realized. You know, we hear poems about the dream deferred. It's no longer deferred because that generation is here.”
North Augusta Elementary School Principal Eli Badillo hopes that students take away important lessons from the Black History Month programs and education opportunities.
“I want our students to learn, and our staff to learn, and our community members to learn that it is important to remember the past and to celebrate the legacy that we've been given.”
