By SHERRY DIGMON
News Publisher
The theme of Escambia County Middle School’s Black History program was “Thanking the Past As We Live in the Present.”
Celebrating accomplishments by Black Americans, students indeed blended past and present.
Student Sa’Riyah Jones served as Master of Ceremonies.
The program began with a recitation by ECMS teacher aide Blakely Barteaux on The Creation, followed by a Welcome from ECMS counselor Nicole Jones.
The following students participated in the program.
- Student speaker McKenzy Rudolph, giving a Black American’s contribution
- “I Just Can’t Give Up Now” – duet by Amiyah James and Harmoni Lewis
- “Hey Black Child” – poem read by Jyeshia Walker
- “We Got That Fire” – performance by the ECMS Band
- Student speaker De’Rihanna Riley reading an essay, Why Black History Is Important to Me
- Inventors Bios – presented by students Charity Coleman, Ke’vion Cannon, Amani Mosley, Amarvi Crooks, Landon Hardy
- “What a Wonderful World” – ECMS Band
- Student speaker Jalijah King, essay, Why Black History Is Important to Me
- Student speaker Bryson Phillips – monologue Dr. Martin Luther King’s speech, “I Have a Dream”
- Student Ashton Phillips – Barak Obama’s bio
- Dr. Richard Benjamin sang “Life Every Voice and Sing” (Dr. Benjamin is pastor at Second St. Saloam Missionary Church in Brewton.)
Principal Forrest Jones gave closing remarks and invited all to a reception provided by Concerned Citizens of Atmore.
Also participating were students Kearden Frye and Taelyn Lee, props; and James Smith and Ahmaud Taylor, ushers.
Attending the program were Escambia County Schools Assistant Superintendent George Brown; Board of Education members Coleman Wallace, Sherry Digmon; Municipal Judge and Escambia County Commissioner Karean Reynolds; Empowerment Tabernacle Pastor Catadro North.