Entering school and feeling different and underrepresented is something that no student wants to feel entering their school’s campus daily. However, for Black students like freshman Tye Twyman, this scenario is a reality faced often.

“I feel like the [black] culture is not appreciated around here,” Twyman said. “Sometimes it’s hard for me at school because a lot of my friends are not black and sometimes it is hard to fit in.”

This feeling is not only present when around a group of friends who do not look like her. For students, this feeling of difference is felt often in classrooms, clubs, or events.

“There isn’t much [ran] by Black people,” senior Crystal Daniels said. “I don’t really see a lot of Black people in different clubs, and there’s not a voice for the Black students on campus. There was supposed to be a step club, but it didn’t work out.”

Whether it is in classes, where they might be the only black student, or in a friend group where they’re the only person of color. Experiencing this, often finds black students struggling to find their own identity outside of what boxes are checked for them. Celebrating and learning black history is an important step in that journey.

“Learning about Black history is important to me,” junior Reanna Gomez-Storm said. “Even being half black, seeing how Black culture has evolved throughout history makes me so proud to be able to be part of it.”

Black history month is a holiday celebrated every year, and it is important because it recognizes the importance of Black history and culture. 

“I think Black history month is important, and schools should teach more about it,” sophomore Ja’quanne Reeves said. “I think that [theatre and dance’s black history month performance] is a good way to celebrate.”