The Performing Arts Center (PAC) at Walt Whitman High School was filled with inspirational words and music on February 12th as the South Huntington School District, Huntington School District, and the Town of Huntington came together for our annual Black History Month Celebration. The theme for the evening was “From the Ground Up: The Power of Us.”

The evening’s festivities began with a performance by the Walt Whitman High School Jazz Band conducted by Mr. Greg Modelewski. As guests settled in, Walt Whitman Principal Dr. John Murphy, Assistant Principal Dr. Kendall Richards, South Huntington Superintendent Dr. Vito D’Elia, and Huntington Superintendent Beth McCoy were among the half dozen speakers who welcomed the audience to a night honoring the diversity and talent of the community.

That talent was on full display with music, dance, and artistic performances. The Huntington High School Chamber Choir performed the National Anthem and the Negro National Anthem “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”  

Second grade students from South Huntington’s Oakwood Primary Center then wowed the audience with a lively rendition of “This Little Light of Mine.”

The evening continued with music from the Huntington Black History Choir, Tri Community Youth Agency (Tri CYA) High School Drumming Circle, and dance performances by the Tri CYA Youth Ballet, Walt Whitman’s Caribbean Heritage Club, and Whitman’s STEP Team.

There were artistic performances of inspirational poetry, skits, and short stories by South Huntington and Huntington seniors, Maplewood Intermediate School’s Project Excel students, and Huntington High School’s Afro Caribbean Heritage Club that depicted the struggles, triumphs, and achievements of African Americans throughout history. 

Katiana Deshommes, a member of the Huntington African-American Historic Designation Council, was the emcee for the evening’s program. “Throughout the program, you'll see community leaders who work tirelessly to create opportunities and equity. You'll see performers who will remind us of the rich cultural heritage that flows through our veins. And you'll see your neighbors, people who understand that we rise together or not at all,” said Ms. Deshommes.

The evening was highlighted by keynote speaker Dr. Errol D. Toulon, Jr., who serves as Suffolk County Sheriff, and is the first African American to be elected to a countywide position in Suffolk. He used the theme of the evening to talk about getting back up from struggles that knock you down. “Tonight I want to talk about a different kind of ‘ground up,’” said Dr. Toulon. “The kind that comes after you've been knocked down, the kind where the ground isn't a starting line, but a landing place. Because I've been there, and as Maya Angelou once said, ‘You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.’” He then shared with the audience how he fought back from three cancer diagnoses, and his political challenges both while working as a Deputy Commissioner with the New York City Department of Correction and after he decided to run for Suffolk County Sheriff.  “Here's what I learned. You don't rebuild alone. Every time I hit the ground, someone was there. Sometimes it was family, sometimes friends, sometimes doctors, nurses, co-workers, neighbors, or even strangers who didn't know my whole story but showed up. That's the power of us.”

Following the performances, everyone was welcomed to view exhibits in the Vicki L. Dollin Art Gallery and to the South Cafeteria for a light dinner. 

Thank you to everyone from our school community and our Huntington neighbors who made this night such a success! If you missed any of the performances, you can watch the recorded version here.

View more photos here! 

 

 

The evening’s festivities began with a performance on stage by the Walt Whitman High School Jazz Band.

 

 

Second grade students from Oakwood Primary Center wowed the audience with a lively rendition of “This Little Light of Mine.”

 

 

We were proud to honor this year’s keynote speaker, Suffolk County Sheriff Dr. Errol D. Toulon, Jr.. 

 

 

Project Excel students from Maplewood Intermediate School performed a skit called “Following the North Star.”

 

 

Walt Whitman High School’s Caribbean Heritage Club put on a skillful dance performance that showcased the vibrant cultures of the Caribbean islands. 

 

 

The Walt Whitman High School STEP Team commanded the stage!

 

 

 

Following the performances, everyone was welcomed to view historical exhibits in the Vicki L. Dollin Art Gallery.

 

 

Guests enjoyed a light dinner at the conclusion of the evening performances and displays. Thank you to all who made this annual event such a success!