Festival of Soul
PHOTO COURTSY OF Anthony Thomas: Hip-hop dance during the Festival of Soul
March 1, 2022
The month of February, also known as Black History Month, has ended, but Millikan made sure before it ended that we took the time to celebrate African American history and culture. In honor of Black History Month, Millikan’s Black Student Union (BSU) hosted Millikan’s Festival of Soul, on Thursday, Feb 24 outside in the quad. Even though this wasn’t BSU’s first Black History Month assembly it was their first outdoor assembly and first Festival of Soul. COMPASS junior and BSU board member DeLonge Blackshire was the event coordinator for this assembly.
The Festival of Soul’s fashion show showcased black culture, including various hairstyles, decade-designated clothes, a hip-hop dance, and music. PEACE Senior Clarissa Flores said, “It is really nice to see diversity, and students of color express their culture.”
During this event, BSU had the opportunity to promote upcoming black-owned businesses, such as the clothing brand SEVENDEADZ, and FW-ITClothing, the event coordinator DeLonge Blackshire, also got to promote her nail tech company H.OB Glamour.
The festival also hosted an interactive Jeopardy game, to the enjoyment of many students.“We had different Jeopardy topics and we quizzed students on black history facts, black artists, pretty much just trivia,” said BSU board member Compass senior Tru Jones.
PEACE Senior Clarissa Flores said, “It is really nice to see diversity, and students of color express their culture,” which the Festival of Soul did a fantastic job of doing. The Festival of the Soul assembly showcased different aspects of the black community in amazing ways, from the empowering fashion show to the vibrant choreography. Millikan’s Black Student Union did an awesome job putting on this amazing assembly.
Ethan Kalliomaa • Mar 7, 2022 at 4:27 pm
March 7, 2022
Dear Corydon Editor,
In Issue 5/2022 (published March 1st, 2022), Jessie Showers wrote an article titled “Festival of Soul ” The article mentions that this Black History Month assembly was the first to be outdoors since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, including the show’s details and activities that were showcased in the quad area. In showcasing the African-American culture in fashion, music during the late 20th century. It was very impressive and I totally agree with your opinion. The Festival of Soul’s fashion show and the artistic posters that were debuting and announcing the assembly were my favorite parts about it. Listening to the 70’s to 80’s hip-hop style music, the clothing fashion, the dance segment / the choreography, and the part of announcing giving tribute to the famous hair styles and the mentionings of historical heroes from the past who contributed to the effects of the late 20th century towards to today. As well as the mentions of small businesses is what we need for our school district. And thank you very much for the information about how the Millikan’s Black Student Union (BSU) was hosting the assembly. I totally forgot about that fact. Finally, I would like to say that I respect equality and it should be obeyed.
Sincerely,
Ethan Kalliomaa, Grade 11
Genesis • Mar 7, 2022 at 4:24 pm
Jessie Showers wrote an article titled “Festival of Soul” The article discusses the first Festival of Soul in Millikan. This event was a take on the Black History Month Assembly, which has been a recurring event here in Millikan every February. What makes this year’s assembly so different is that it was held outdoors and is much more interactive between students compared to past years. This function featured an informative fashion show, hip hop performance, promoted black owned businesses and held an interactive jeopardy game for students. Millikan’s Black Student Union supported and hosted all of the attractions. I’m amazed that the event coordinator and the majority of the people that handled this assembly were students. Considering this is planned by a majority of students and it is the first time something like this has ever been done, they did great. On another note, I love that a majority of the planners were women. I also like that Showers is able to give us the perspective and recount of the planners of the festival like BSU board members and the event coordinator. Knowing that this assembly was a new and innovative take and managed by the students makes this year’s Black History Month Assembly all the more special
Olivia Lopez • Mar 4, 2022 at 2:20 pm
In Issue 5/22 (published March 1, 2022) Jessie Showers wrote an article entitled “Festival of Soul”. The article addresses and explains the assembly that took place on Thursday, February 24 to celebrate Black History month. Before reading this article, I wasn’t aware of how much of the assembly was curriated by students, particularly the ones in BSU (Black Student Union). I also wasn’t aware that they had some Black owned businesses there to sell and promote, along with a band there to play. One thing I would’ve liked to learn more about was the preparation behind the Assembly and the student perspective. Some interviews from members of the student body would be nice to hear their reaction to gauge if students enjoyed it or not. One thing I wished that they highlighted more was the amazing dancing! It was one of my favorite parts of the assembly and it had many students excited and participating in school spirit behavior. Overall, the article helped me learn more about the planning of the event, (learning that DeLonge Blackshire was the event coordinator) and the reasons behind the assembly were very insightful!
lena teeter • Mar 4, 2022 at 2:14 pm
In issue 5/2022 (published March 1, 2022) Jessie Showers wrote an article titled “Festival of Soul”. In the article Jessie starts of by explaining a little bit of black history month is and followed that by explaining the purpose of the Festival of Soul assembly. The author credits COMPASS junior and Black Student Union Board member DeLonge Blackshire as the event coordinator for the assembly. He also goes on to say what an amazing job DeLonge and BSU as a whole did on the assembly which I totally agree with, they all killed it and did a good job of educating Millikan students on black history while making it fun. The author highlighted aspects of the assembly like the fashion which featured fashion trends populated by black people of the years. He also talks about the hip hop dance that was performed by some of the students which I found particularly entertaining. Throughout the article Showers used the same quote from PEACE senior Clarissa Flores twice. While I liked the quote, I think instead of repeating it the author could have took that opportunity to get another quote from a different student. This would help to show a wider variety of student opinions. Other than that I really enjoyed the article and the assembly it’s self and I hope to read more of Jessie’s articles in the future.