QPA’s Black History Month Celebration

Students’ Creativity Honor those who Paved the Way

Chidindu Onyekatu and Ranaa Hassan|March 3, 2023

  • QPA students deliver a wonderful performance

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  • The Brotherhood at last year’s performance

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  • The Brotherhood in action

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  • Ms. Fitz honors Louise Bennett

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  • Reading of Dunbar’s “We Wear the Mask”

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  • QPA freshman Ronique White

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  • QPA senior D’marjia Rankine

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  • The QPA Modern Band

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  • The QPA Modern Band

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  • The QPA Modern Band

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  • QPA’s crowning of kings and queens

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  • The Brotherhood turns it out!

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QPA’s Black History Month celebration was a blast!!

 

On Tuesday, February 28, QPA celebrated national Black History Month, and it was nothing short of a huge success. Ms. Chin Tashia, producer of the event, had a very short time to pull everything together, but still delivered an amazing performance.

 

The show was filled with many outstanding performances, like the songs played by the QPA band, the poetry read by several students, the musical renditions,  the dances performed by the Sisterhood, their stomping, and the final act that carried it away: the absolute noise-fest brought by the Brotherhood and their stunning on-stage performance. It was hugely entertaining and absolutely captivating.

 

A Collaborative Effort

Everyone involved worked hard to pull off this beautiful performance.  And the results prove that morale was high among both staff and students. “We had some dedicated students jump on-board, especially in the tech department,” Ms. Chin reported. “The staff helped co-ordinate the students, like Ms. Wilson and Mr. Hargrove with Brotherhood and Sisterhood, Ms. Edwards and Ms. Robinson wherever they could, and Ms. Fitzgibbon’s performed onstage to add a little something.”

Ms. Fitzgibbon’s performance was quite intriguing.  “It was a poem by Ms. Lewis Bennet about the daily life of a Jamaican person.” She explained. “It’s meant to be a funny story about a turkey that died. This meant that she and everyone else would eat well that day.” The performance was a reference to her West Indian roots shared by many QPA students. “I’ve known this poem since I was in 5th grade,” she went on to say, “and since Ms. Chin has her Advisory in my class, I saw it as an opportunity to do something fun, as well as encourage the students to participate in events like these.”

 

Ms. Wilson, who directs QPA’s Sisterhood, was also a big help in coordinating the group’s performance. “I’m honored to be part of the production.” she admitted. “I am proud of every one who participated. I’m excited for next year; I hope to see it bigger and better.” She’s new to the school and extremely enthusiastic about this celebration that makes her feel very much part of the QPA family. “I’ve never done anything like this in my old school,” she added. “We had small assemblies but nothing notable, that’s why I was excited and happy about the regular community gatherings you have here.” She also has some friendly advice for students at QPA. “Students should be more willing to participate because there might be more talent to show off during these events.”

 

Positive Feedback

The result of the show was more than we could have calculated. It was not only unpredictable, it was great, meaningful and hyped! But what was pleasantly surprising was the quality of the presentation, which says a lot about the professionalism of those involved.

 

Despite this serious time limit, it still got tons of praise. “The students were excited to perform, and the student body was interested.” said Ms. Chin. “I loved the gold crowns; it was beautiful.”

 

Some attendees who were interviewed mentioned particular acts they enjoyed. ” I thought it was good as a whole.” said Ms. Fitzgibbon. “The ladies sang well, the Sisterhood was good at stepping, and I love how the Brotherhood celebrated QPA alumni and paid tribute to AP Richardson’s mom’s, a former teacher who recently passed. It was very touching.”

 

Principal Haywood also gave her seal of approval. “It was wonderful,” she commented with obvious pride for her students and staff. “Everybody did a great job. Knowing that they worked hard in a short amount of time made it extra special.” She especially enjoyed the performances by the Sisterhood and Brotherhood and the surprise crowning of students, since it “reinforces the understanding of what’s running through our blood.”

 

What’s Next?

With the successful close of Black History Month, and the commence of March—Women’s History Month, we can only assume that Ms. Chin has something brewing for us again. ” We’re already planning something involving the entire schools, not just QPA.” Ms. Chin admitted with an exhausted smile.

 

So QPA students, it’s safe to assume something’s coming for this month, but, the question isn’t only ‘What’ll it be?’ or ‘Who’s going to perform?’ It should also be ‘What can I contribute to the next presentation?’