By JONATHAN ROWE

Washington Daily News

 

CHOCOWINITY — Southside High School’s Black History Month celebration brought students, faculty, organizations and special guests together to commemorate Nelson Mandela and other notable figures of the civil-rights struggle.

Chynna Bonner, Southside’s junior/senior guidance counselor and Black History Month committee chairwoman, supervised the program and orchestrated the school’s Key Club, Sophisticated Ladies, Student Government Association and other volunteer students in working together to present the program.

“We only practiced one time, and we did great,” Bonner said.

Southside’s Sophisticated Ladies gave a presentation of Nelson Mandela’s accomplishments, as well as his impact on society as a whole. Each student lit a candle and called out names, including Frederick Douglas, Harriet Tubman and Mandela, to remember those no longer alive but who wrote in the annals of history when they were alive. The SHS concert band gave a performance between Principal Dale Cole’s reading of excerpts from Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address and the school’s SGA presentation of “We Have a Dream,” honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s famous speech.

“We had to practice, have dress rehearsal and work together,” said sophomore Shay Roland. “Communication was key.”

Joe Davis, the newly appointed superintendent of Washington County Schools, spoke to the audience regarding social progression and mental shackles — peer pressure, bullying and lack of confidence.

“There are still obstacles in our lives,” said Davis. “We are more alike than we are different.”

Davis also gave personal accounts from his life and stressed several points to the students.

“You have to decide what it is you want out of life,” Davis said. “If you choose to rise above the challenges, then you will.”

Later, Bonner spoke on her ideas regarding social unity, comparing a quilt or stew to “coming together.”

“I bring who I am and you bring who you are. Let’s synergize and make this nation better,” Bonner said.

For Sophisticated Ladies President Mary Moore, the event signified a small piece of a larger picture: “It meant a lot for me because we have come a long way.”