By Anisha Ramachandra
Contributing reporter: Bella Simonte
February 22, 2022
Months of writing and practice, days of learning, and hours of rehearsal have led to this moment: Skyline’s African American Humanities class has gotten the green light for a highly anticipated in-person performance, the first in three years.
The performance will take place on Wednesday the 23rd and Thursday the 24th in the morning for Skyline students. Family and friends will be able to witness the performance on Wednesday evening.
“I think the show helps bring the student body together,” says Mame Diarra Seye, a senior in the class. “When we are able to not only share but celebrate our background and differences, it makes it easier for us to fully understand each other, and when we understand each other we can appreciate and respect each other.”
As of mid-January, after a meeting with administration, the show was supposed to be on February 23rd during the school day, with the possibility of another show after school. Students in the class were concerned that the entire student body would not be able to witness the performance in-person due to Covid restrictions.
“With Covid, we have to worry about mostly just presenting the show with an audience because there are audience restrictions within the auditorium,” said senior Leyla Williams. Although the class has had to adapt the show because of Covid, “In terms of creating the show, nothing really has changed.”
After talking with administration multiple times, sharing ideas, and coming up with alternatives, district restrictions on crowd size were modified last week based on the improved Covid numbers in the district.
According to Assistant Principal Casey Elmore, the restrictions have changed since early February, allowing up to 60% capacity in the auditorium. “Initially, the Covid guidelines were no more than 100 spectators, but now they can have 60% capacity. Shows will be on [February] 23 and 24 during first and second hour.”
The meaning behind the show is significant. It represents the students’ voices and journey. "The African-American Humanities class and annual show are both critical for Skyline because African-American history is American history,” says Skyline History teacher Cheryl Plouffe. “This history, however, has been either left out of American history classes or distorted in order to protect White people from learning our very painful history. Learning about this past not only helps us become better educated, but also more compassionate human beings. It helps us understand the world around us and connects the past to our present, if only we were strong enough to face our true history; at Skyline, we are!"
Students from the class are looking forward to showcasing their dynamic performance. “What you can expect is student poetry, student art, student dance and it’s all student-made which is why I think it's so inspirational,” says Oscar Jemison-Blais, a senior in the class.
The show represents the work of many students, teachers, community members, and staff. Many student leaders and staff have contributed to the show. “I would like to give a big shout out to Chris who runs the theater,” says Jemison-Blais. “I’d say that Sydney Cunningham is like the head student in charge. People look to her for leadership…[as well as] Jenna Reid, Leyla Williams, and Trinity Morton.”
Despite the current situation with Covid safety concerns, the entire student body will be able to see the performance in-person. Students and staff are looking forward to the performance and the students are working hard.
Williams adds, “Dealing with all of the covid restrictions is really a hassle and has definitely affected us as class. But, we are getting it done and working really hard. We are still going to have an awesome show.”
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