Spirited Black History Celebration Held at Riverhead High School

RIVERHEAD, NY- Students took the stage and presented a moving and spirited Black History Celebration at Riverhead High School last week.

This year, the annual event was held on February 11.

New to the program this year was a demonstration by the Riverhead High School Cooking Club of authentic South African cuisine, as well as a student display of African American art in the showcase by the auditorium.



Riverhead High School Assistant Principal Patrick Burke served as the master of ceremonies; the celebration opened with the presentation of the colors and the Pledge of Allegiance led by the NJROTC followed by the “Star Spangled Banner” sung by Riverhead High School senior Megan Brunner. Rev. Mary Cooper from the House of Praise gave the invocation.

The program opened with the high school jazz ensemble’s interpretation of “When the Saints Go Marching in”. Next up was the Riley Avenue fourth grade chorus, who enthusiastically sang “Saints Go Marching” and “Rock-A-My Soul”. More jazz followed with the Riverhead middle school jazz band playing “Afro Blue” and “Uptown Funk”.

Later in the program, the high school chamber orchestra played “Rondo in Blue” by Robert Longfield.

Each year the high school students organizing the event recognize the contributions of a faculty member, staff member, administrator or community member by presenting the persons honored with the Martin Luther King, Jr. Award.

Council for Unity members, Samantha Dunn and Kim Ligon presented this year’s honorees, Pulaski teaching assitant Jenny Corbin and Riverhead High School math teacher Alethia Ford with the award. A Prezi presentation of Famous Black Americans was also given.

Students from the Roanoke Avenue fourth grade played a game of “Who Am I” with the audience featuring famous African American musicians.

A standout in the evening was a presentation by “The Riley Avenue School Library/Media Readers” led by librarian Amelia Estevez-Creedon. The student readers included Kaliyah Russell-Irving, Mikayla James, Marin Reichenbach, Kalea Coughlan, Giancarlo Velesquez, Caden Lesiewicz, Lorelei Hoenig, Kyle Cuevas and high school drummer Geraldo Carballo. The students presented a lesson on African American inventors.

Always inspiring, the Liturgical Dance Ministry dancers from the First Baptist Church of Riverhead added flags and large ribbons of color to the music of “Hallelujah to the King of Glory”.

Chorus presentations by Phillips and Aquebogue under the direction of music teacher Jon Samonte showed the similarities between “song” around the world and ended with “I Have a Dream”.

Robert “Bubby” Brown read a historical tribute to Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Garfield Langhorn. He then introduced this year’s Garfield Langhorn Essay Contest Winners: Olivia Goodale, Haylie Esposito, Alexandra Goodale and Dominic Geraci.

In addition, Pulaski Street School students, under the direction of Jenny Corbin, gave a dramatic presentation of the March on Washington and Dr. Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech.

The middle school show choir, under the direction of Nadine Greenberg, sang “The Power of One”.

The finale featured three members of the Riverhead High school step and dance team who gave a spirited performance of African Culture Dance. The group’s advisors are Cheryl Trent and Frederica Miles.

Photos by Riverhead Central School District.