Prince William County Public Schools

In celebration of Black History Month, Marsteller Middle School hosted an evening of remembrance. Faculty and students created educational displays in the halls of the school.

The many accomplishments and contributions of African Americans in all fields were showcased. Nuclear engineer Henry Sampson, musician Rosetta Thorpe and President Barack Obama were among the people featured. Several displays included QR codes to scan for more in-depth information about the historical figures.

Janika Worthington, eighth grade language arts teacher, was a member of the committee that organized the event and made displays. She even contributed a quilt made by her great-grandmother, a unique family heirloom. Other committee members provided original records, eight-track tapes and VHS tapes of prominent African American musicians and actors.

Worthington said that, "working with Marsteller Middle's faculty, students and community to prepare for this celebration was exhilarating! Being a lifetime learner, this experience gave me the opportunity to gain more knowledge about African American history."

Other members of the committee included, Anne R. Washington, Asia Hines, Arusha Morgan, Ebbony Hunter, Lindsay Bouldan and Richard Krauser.

In addition to working on some of the displays, students also served as tour guides during the event. Cedar Point Elementary School fourth-grader Angela Carrington came to help out. She said, "I enjoyed being a junior tour guide. I learned so much about the Divine Nine and other important things about Black History."

Sa'Diah Hendershot, sixth-grader at Marsteller, enjoyed being a tour guide. He was inspired to see historical figures that are his same race. "Everyone is my kind but, seeing the history of people that look like me is so good."
Marsteller seventh-grader Katori Martin added, "I got to learn more about my past and background and the many things African Americans have done for America."

Throughout the month of February, a digital presentation was shown during student lunches. It included significant moments in Black History such as, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech. Works of art, educational music videos, and information about inventions by African Americans were also featured.