Local youngsters learn the importance of black history
By: Rebecca Tokarz
The tune of Lee Greenwood’s "God Bless the U.S.A." served as the background music for boys and girls in Danielle Kelton’s fourth-grade class as they entered the classroom arm in arm.
Dressed as famous black Americans, to kickoff Black History Month, the boys made their way to their desks and stood at attention facing the flag. The girls, dressed in waitress outfits, followed suit. Once situated, the group saluted the American flag and sang the final verse to Mr. Greenwood’s song.
As the song concluded, Michael Baumann, dressed as Secretary of State Colin Powell, walked to the front of the room and thanked those in attendance for joining the group’s Freedom Rally celebration honoring important black Americans and their contributions to society.
Speaking in character, he gave a brief history of his life, mentioning the struggles of growing up poor and finally making his way to his current position as the U.S. Secretary of State.
Born to Jamaican immigrants and growing up in the South Bronx, N.Y., ‘Mr. Powell’ said he worked his way up through the ranks in the Army and received two purple hearts. He noted he was the first black man to be appointed Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He served in that capacity during the elder President George Bush’s presidency in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
"I went from a poor black boy to being one of the most important people in the nation," Michael said.
The fourth-grade Freedom Rally served as a kickoff to Black History Month. With the help of teachers Lisa Babanski, Denise Fischer and Allison Brunotte, students were responsible for researching and reporting on an important black American who had an impact on the country and who helped pave the way for racial equality. Some of the black Americans portrayed during the presentations included the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., Langston Hughes, Louis Armstrong, Jackie Robinson, Duke Ellington and Michael Jordan.
The girls will have their chance to take center stage in the spring when Ms. Kelton’s class gathers for another project, where the girls will play the roles of prominent female figures in history.
"It was a chance for the students to become aware of the impact African Americans had on society and their contributions to society," Ms. Kelton said. "It also showed they were free to do whatever they wanted to do."
Daniel Deevey researched and gave a speech on Dr. King and his contributions toward ending racial segregation and violence. Daniel said he learned a lot from the research project.
"I never knew he founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. I didn’t know that Jessie Jackson was next to me when I was assassinated," he said, trying to speak in character.
For Tyler Batchelor, who portrayed civil rights activist and author W.E.B. DuBois, the project opened up a new world of famous people he had never heard of before.
"I didn’t even know I (W.E.B. DuBois) existed (before this project)," Tyler said. "I liked that he lived in Africa."

