The Blue and Gold March 2022
Local News
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Black Culture Club Runs Door Decorating Contest for Black History Month Continued from page 1. while creating their art pieces. After choosing the winner, the Black Culture Club will be throwing a pizza party for the winning group. Though the Door Decorating contest may seem like a simple fun thing to do, Magras explained how it is a good way to show “the contributions of Black Americans and…to promote Black excellence.” One of the many groups to participate in this event was science teacher Michel-Le Meranda’s group, which consisted of sophomores Tori Gammon, Sarah Boucher, Delilah Hudson and Samara Hogan-Sanders. Located on the fourth floor,
Meranda’s door is beautifully decorated with the face of a Black woman with many curls. Boucher expressed that Black History Month is a month ¨where we get to express our culture and show what our history means to us.” Gammon added that Black History Month is an important time of the year because it gives “us the chance to show our culture and creativity.” When it came to deciding on whether to join, Boucher felt “it was an obligation to show people how much we care about this month.” It helped that throughout the entire process Boucher had a lot of friends. Romero chose to join the contest as she “wanted to recognize people
within the Black community who have made our lives better with their contributions, their example, and art.” Gammon explained that being with her favorite teacher, and “being with a group of friends when we had all been friends for so long,” made them enjoy the experience more as they were able to become even closer over the course of the project. Throughout the month of February, the Black Culture Club has also been hosting Wellness Wednesdays and HBCU Spotlights. These programs are open to everyone who wants to come to support the Black Culture Club.
Henry mentioned that they are considering continuing the Wellness Wednesdays past this month because “it has been really fun and impactful,” as it is a significant resource to have available for the Black youth at the high school. As students walk through the building these next few weeks and see the different doors decorated in the halls–painting the stories of pain and suffering, as well as love, strength, beauty and culture, they are reminded to appreciate the people behind it—those who stepped forward to decorate a door with more than just art—they are pieces of history, and examples of excellence.
Henry believes that it helps to enlighten others by bringing “awareness and to not just talk about the Black struggle, but Black joy,” which is often overlooked.
Erin O’Brien-Mazza’s door is decorated to celebrate Black musicians. Photo by Ashton Calixte.
Kate Haskell and Victoria Atkinson’s door is decorated for Black History Month. Photo by Ashton Calixte.
Michel-Le Meranda and Jessica Bisson’s door is decorated with the phrase, “Black is beautiful.” This door won the contest. Photo by Ashton Calixte.
Claudia Romero decorated her own door. Photo by Hadjar Yousfi.
Ann Pember’s door decorated by Sarah Schneider, Julie Huynh, Reem Bouachra and Lauren Mallett. Photo by Nathan Dean.
