The Spirit of Paul Laurence Dunbar
Dunbar’s Leaders in the Making club hosted a poetry reading called “The Spirit of Paul Laurence Dunbar” on Feb. 17 in the library.
Guest poet, Mr. Dorian Hairston, an Affrilachian poet and former University of Kentucky baseball player, opened the event with a baseball themed poem that began, “Never forget the 42 reasons baseball is best played colorblind…”
The reading is one of many events that groups have put together in honor of black history month. While some of the poems were by famous authors such as Maya Angelou, several students read their own pieces.
Guest poet, Mr. Dorian Hariston, is a member of the Affrilachian Poets group.
Junior Tamea Gentry opened the ceremony with a song by Sam Cooke.
Senior Hanean Abdallah reading “The Rose That Grew From Concrete” written by Tupac Shakur.
Junior Jamari Donaldson reads his piece, “The Black Us.”
Junior Anaiyah Cotton read “If I Fall” written by Tupac Shakur.
Students showed appreciation by snapping their fingers instead of clapping after each performance.
Classes were invited to attend the event that was held during A2 in the library.
Junior Paola Sumuano welcomed the audience to the event.
Pearl Robinson read “Hey Black Child” written by Esemi Eugene Perkins.
Senior Emilee Egbert read “A Woman Speaks” by Audre Lorde.
Students showed appreciation by snapping their fingers instead of clapping after each performance.
Junior Nate Gay read “Touched by An Angel” by Maya Angelou.
Senior Symone Franklin played “My Help.”
Library assistant, Mrs. Hazel Compton, helped with the event.
Lucinda Fairbanks reads “The Lesson” by Maya Angelou.
Junior Eric Jackson read his poem, “Long Live Trinity.”
Senior Raquel Johnson reads “The Average Black Girl” by Ernestine Johnson.
Will Johnson read his poem, “Change.”
Senior Trent Allen read his poem “A Letter to Heaven.”
Mr. Duerson made closing comments about the poetry reading.
Senior Symone Franklin played a piece on the piano.
The performers gather at the end of the poetry reading for a group photo.
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