NECSD Scholars Share Black History Month Celebrations for Board of Education
Student representatives from across the district gathered together to deliver excerpts from their school's Black History Month celebrations for the Board of Education at a regular meeting. With a theme of The Greatness Within, scholars in grades PreK-12 delivered readings and performances to a packed auditorium.
Presenting our 2025 NECSD PreK-12 Student Showcase of The Greatness Within
Click to read the full program.
OPENING
Funga Alafia Ashe Ashe | Lift Every Voice and Sing
Performed by Jennee Coleman, Ashley Leggett & Evena Jerome, Fostertown School
Presentation of the Playbill
by Serena Carter, Jaylen Daniels-Miller, Evie Mullarkey, Jaxson Romer, Ben Rund & Amelia Smith, PreK students
READING
Poem: The Auspicious Aldsorfs
By Ms. Jumpp’s Troupe: Royal Dennis, Karma Everett & Sophie Tantono
Honoring the Past, Presentation & Future
Narrated by: Hillary Armand, South Middle School
Alexandra Crawford, Ava Thomas, & Amaya Harris Lino, NFA
Essay written and spoken by Zoe McLymore, NFA
PERFORMING
Song: Funga Alafia
Performed by the Balmville Elementary Choir led by Ken Brands, Evelyn Kipp, and Waleska Rayford
Ms. Kipp Pre-K class and Ms. Rayford's 3rd grade class performed Funga Alafia at the Board Meeting to celebrate Black History Month. "Funga Alafia" is a West African song and dance that translates to "welcome and blessings". Funga Alafia is a greeting song and dance throughout parts of West Africa. Some people attribute it to the Hausa people from Nigeria. Alafia is a Hausa greeting and Aasheey means something equivalent to good health and peace be with you. The song is often sung with gestures, touching the head and extending the arms, then the lips, then the heart. These gestures symbolize greeting people with your thoughts, with your words, with your heart and then assuring them that you have come in peace.
Song: Your Roots
Performed by the SMS Winter Musical Cast from Beautiful Hair. Directed by Ms. Danielle Small
Interpretive Dance: Song: Troubles Troubling by Dubois Akeem
Performed by: Akhiir McNeil, MBK Fellow
Poem: I Am Greatness
Written and performed by Haimary Guerrero-Avila & Sienna Torres - Ms. Naisha Perez, Gardnertown Leadership Academy
PHOTOS | NECSD Scholars Share Black History Month Celebrations for Board of Education
Watch the presentation below and learn more about how we have honored the past in Newburgh to help shape and inspire our future by clicking this link to read more!
ATTENTION: Are your scholars or colleagues doing something great? Please contact the district Communications Team at communications@necsd.net. We’d love to visit your class or event and/or post your pictures and recap to highlight the amazing accomplishments throughout our district!
