HMS Black History Month Program Mistress of Ceremony HMS Counselor Ms. Destiny Jordan ()
Staff members, students, and special guest from the 8th Army participated in HMS Black History Month Program held on Friday, February 24, 2023, in the auditorium. The program begin with the Mistress of Ceremony HMS Counselor, Ms. Destiny Jordan providing a warm welcome to everyone in attendance and promoting the 2023 National theme: “Black Resistance”. Next, everyone stood for the virtual playing of “Lift Every Voice and Sing”.
Special guest Major Sherwood Earle, Force Management Analyst, USFK, J8 and member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., Alpha Omega Sigma Chapter gave a short description of the Divine Nine. HMS 5th grade teacher, Dr. Julia Jones delivered a brief history of sororities.
Next, the HMS Phoenix Step Team energized the crowd with an outstanding step performance. HMS music teacher, Mr. Daniel Lamberton led the strings and band in performing “the Battle Hymn of the Republic” and traditional African melodies. The HMS choir performed a hymn written by a reformed slave titled “Amazing Grace”. Of the three verses performed, HMS students created an alternate melody as a variation for the second verse.
After the HMS band performance, Choir Director Ms. Virginia Ford shared her experience from visiting Africa and encouraged the students, teachers, and guest to stand, clap and dance to the African beat and joyful song: “Sansa Kroma”. This is a Ghanaian folk song about an orphaned baby hawk that was adopted by the community and learns to thrive.
The Black History Program was repeated so that all students could attend the event:
5th and 6th grade students from 1:45 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.
7th and 8th grade students from 2:20 p.m. – 2:50 p.m.
Everyone in attendance enjoyed the Black History Month Observance and left fully energized for the weekend. The HMS staff gave a personal thank you to all volunteers, participants, and guest for making this program a success and increasing diversity awareness at Humphreys Middle School and in the community.
