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The C. J. Hooker Middle School recently concluded its Black History Month/Cultural Diversity/Women’s History celebration during the month of February.

The month-long celebration combined all cultures in a display of ethnic unity, respect, tolerance and acceptance. Middle school students participated in a number of events, including listening to guest speakers, studying original documents such as Dr. Martin Luther King’s “I Have A Dream” speech and Abraham Lincoln’s “Emancipation Proclamation,” viewing documentaries such as “Paper Clips” and participating in a cultural survey, door decorating contest and poetry writing.

Students enjoyed a variety of guest speakers and programs, including a visit from Carolyn Evans, a noted local character actress, who performed an amazing recreation of the famous crusader for human and civil rights, Sojourner Truth. The entire auditorium of more than 700 students was mesmerized by the performance. Students enjoyed playing the game “Who Wants To be A Millionaire: Cultural Diversity” with Shannon Wong from the New Windsor YWCA.

Special field trips were held this month. The Student Government Club and 7/8 Girls Leadership Group took a memorable trip to the Rockland Holocaust and Museum Learning Center in Spring Valley, while the Young Hispanic Leadership Club and Spanish Dancing Club traveled to The Bardavon 1869 Opera House in Poughkeepsie on to see the world-renowned Peru-Negro Dance Troupe.

A cultural survey, coordinated by the staff and reporters of our school newspaper, “The Gladiator,” was conducted in homerooms, and reported upon in the Cultural Diversity February Issue of the Gladiator.

In the middle school main lobby, a resource table displayed a number of handouts and information about black history. The unity quilt was also on display, as well as a bulletin board that traced the different cultures present in Goshen.

The culmination of the month-long activities came on Feb. 29 with the presentation of the Fourth Annual Black History/Cultural Diversity/Women’s History Program in the library. The event featured a variety of readings and presentations, including famous Latinos in history, poetry readings, student reflections and more, all presented by the students of the C. J. Hooker Middle School. A special feature this year was Spanish Teacher Gaby Ackert’s Spanish Dancers performing a zumba and salsa routine to the delight of the audience.

“This was an exciting month with much learning and exploration of the human condition,” said Beth Miller, school social worker.

The following students presented at the Black History/Cultural Diversity Program:

• Cultural Diversity Survey Results: Nawshin Ahmed, Brigid Larkin
   
• Poetry Readings: Kara Bruntfield, Sierra Niesolowski, Michaela O’Dowd
   
• True Latino Role Models and their Contributions to Society: Gabriela Mistral, Roberto Clemente, Ellena Ochoa, Frida Kahlo, Katherine Garnett, Jesse Finkelstein, Marielle Frederick, Tyler Eisenbacher, Erin Collins
   
• Spanish Dancing: Edgar Aguilar, Stephanie Caputo, Alexandra Celestin, Juztina Gerace, Morgan Heinrich, Brittany Kesar, Ashley Majewicz, Samantha Musumeci, Lyndsey Rysinger, Stephanie Sullivan, Emily Swanson, Brenda Tapia, Alexandria Vazquez
   
• Student Readings and Reflections: Karalyn Bruntfield, Katelyn Keen, Jackie Strauss, Ashley Milosevic, Cynthia Rodriguez, Sophia Schuster