Sto-Rox Jr./Sr. High School students are showing their spirit and learning a lot during Black History Month. On Wednesday, students from the Culture Club and student council judged the building’s Door Decoration Contest. Doors across the district were decked out in designs celebrating Black artists.
“Our students were blown away by all the participants, and appreciate everyone in the building’s hard work,” said Alex Gariepy, District Social Worker and a key player in organizing the building’s Black History Month activities. “It was a very challenging decision.”
After much debate, 1st place went to the classroom of ELA teacher Meghan Muye for its playlist-themed design, followed by the Whitney Houston design from the classroom of Lauren Ferragonio and Kirstan Fielder and the Jimi Hendrix design of Daniele Livingston’s classroom.
LINK: Updated - Black History Month in Sto-Rox
Meanwhile, Sto-Rox seniors heard about college life from students who are attending PennWest University. A panel discussion featuring issues including personal experiences, identity, and diversity was held with PennWest students Bria Allen (ODEI Graduate Student Ambassador, former Black Student Union (BSU) president), Darryl Perkins, (ODEI student ambassador and college athlete), Savannah Dorsey (Asst. Director of DEI, former BSU president), Julian Laventure (ODEI student ambassador and college athlete), and Jordyn Reynolds (BSU board member, ODEI student ambassador, and college athlete).
“Students asked very insightful questions,” said Gariepy. “(They) opened up about their fears and the pressure that they have about this next chapter in their life.”
Black History Month celebrations continue across the district this week, and at the Jr./Sr. High School the events will culminate with the 3rd annual SOUL Celebration/Title I Event on Friday at 12:30 p.m.; families are invited to join students for performances, poetry, art, food, Reading-focused activities and much more.