Fowler Drive Elementary School Assistant Principal Celest King delivers a spoken-word piece at the Clarke Central High School Black History Month Program in the E.B. Mell Auditorium on Feb. 25. CCHS science department teacher Roenessa Witcher, both sang and danced at the BHM Program and enjoyed the meaning behind the event. “I enjoyed the spoken word at the end (from King). I think that’s something that every child, regardless of race, (or) creed, needed to hear. As a teacher, I see students of different backgrounds being affected and not knowing how to carry themselves or how they should carry themselves,” Witcher said. Photo by Kye Streetman
CCHS hosted its annual Black History Month Program in the E.B. Mell Auditorium on Feb. 25 from 10:15 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.
Featuring speeches, dances, poetry, presentations and performances, Clarke Central High School hosted its annual Black History Month Program on Feb. 25 from 10:15 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. in the E.B. Mell Auditorium.
CCHS Career, Technical and Agricultural Education department chair and BHM Program Coordinator Jaclyn Brown organized the performances under the theme “You Belong Here” for attendees to understand the importance of African American culture and history.
Clarke Central High School science department teacher Sophia Campbell stands in front of her art pieces during CCHS Black History Month Program on Feb. 25 in the E.B. Mell Auditorium. CCHS science department teacher Roenessa Witcher, who performed in the BHM Program, hoped the event would call attention to Black history and leave a positive effect on CCHS students. “The importance of the event is to highlight Black history as a whole, but definitely the Black history and culture here in Athens-Clarke County community, because (there’s) so much that kids don’t know,” Witcher said. Photo by Kye Streetman
“(My pastor) preached (one) particular Sunday (that), ‘You belong here.’ All I can do is think about what’s happening in our country with immigration, with (United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement) and everything that’s going on. I just wanted to make sure that (attendees knew), regardless of the color of your skin, you belong here,” Brown said.
Staying on theme with the program, the CCHS orchestra and choir performed “I Lift Every Voice and Sing” by James Weldon Johnson. CCHS science department teacher Roenessa Witcher, who performed with the CCHS choir, felt that the song’s message aligned with the program.
“I wanted people to understand the significance of ‘Lift Every Voice and Sing,’” Witcher said. “If you actually listen to the lyrics, you will understand it speaks on the struggles in which the Black community went through during the Jim Crow era and post-Jim Crow, and just understanding that culture.”
“I want to try to instill pride. It’s Black History Month, which is the shortest month of the year. So, we want to tell students to be celebrated all year long, and not just now, but throughout the year. We want to highlight this program, to give them pride, to give them history.”
— Jaclyn Brown,
CCHS BHM Program Coordinator
The program ended with a spoken-word piece from Fowler Drive Elementary School Assistant Principal Celest King. CCHS sophomore Bryanna Elizalde especially enjoyed King’s performance, offered advice to attendees and spoke about the significance of African American history.
“They (performers) were very passionate with their words,” Elizalde said. “(King) was very poetic, and (I loved) how she was relating to the (CCHS) students (and) giving us words of encouragement.”
Clarke Central High School students and faculty attend the 2026 Black History Month Program in E.B. Mell Auditorium on Feb. 25. CCHS Career, Technical and Agricultural Education department chair and BHM Program Coordinator Jaclyn Brown has coordinated this program for four years and helped run and direct all performances that took place. “Every single year, I’m amazed by the performances that are done. Going into it you have your nerves (and) you want everything to go correctly,” Brown said. “I’m anxious trying to get it done and make sure everything goes smoothly, and every year it always works out.” Photos by Kye Streetman, Maypop Wren and Valeria Blanco Pirela
With it being Brown’s fourth year coordinating the Black History Month Program, she expressed valuing the opportunity to teach and commemorate Black history each year.
“I want to try to instill pride. It’s Black History Month, which is the shortest month of the year. So, we want to tell students to be celebrated all year long, and not just now, but throughout the year. We want to highlight this program, to give them pride, to give them history,” Brown said.
