Mixing fine arts performance with Black History Month, three Chaparral High School students put together a showcase to honor a legacy of joy and beauty.
Seniors Hannah Newson, Sha’ve Dotson and Anaiah Chamberlain, all heavily involved in fine arts at Chaparral, noticed that traditional expression of Black history leans to trauma and struggle and anger.
They wanted to share the powerful history using the arts and adjusting the focus toward the exceptional.
The students went through the procedure of building a program and setting up the logistics and on Thursday hosted the school’s first-ever Black History Month Fine Arts Showcase.
The three student organizers took the auditorium stage, serving as MC’s and introduced each act.
Individual Chaparral students performed songs, played instruments and spoke out poetry and monologues, all gleaned from the contribution of Black artists. The school’s Majorettes dance group also performed.
To begin the show, the three MC’s shared the history of Black History Month and their own experiences and observations as student fine arts performers.
Senior Hannah Newson, a member of the Bobcat band, a theater student and a cheerleader, said she was thrilled with the result of their work.
“We noticed there was not much diversity and most plays that feature Black people are about trauma and struggle,” she said.
“We want to show that fine arts is for everyone and that you don’t have to be sad and lonely in a show. You can be happy and have fun times.”
They began discussing the idea last November. The students met with the student activities coordinator, who let them know they would be doing all the work to pull off the event.
They partnered with National Honor Society, the school choir and theater programs and scheduled auditions.
“I wanted people to be seen and to know that they are heard,” said Newson. “Stories are important – not just the sad ones, the happy ones too.”
Photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/killeenisd/albums/72177720332117617/