History is usually something you read in a dusty hardcover, but on Feb 26 it looked more like a pair of sneakers striking the stage in a thunderous step routine. It sounded less like a lecture and more like a sequence of vocal performances and original poems recited by student authors. For two hours, the auditorium became a space where students could freely express what Black History truly means to them.
Counselor Karla Jones, who also coaches Code Blue, organized the annual Black History Month Entertainment. She wanted the program to focus on current topics that mattered to students.
“I basically worked around what it is that the students wanted to present in the program, which is why we were able to talk about basketball and how black athletes transitioned into that lane,” Jones said. “And, you know, speaking of mental health and how counseling is not a big thing in the black culture but it needs to be.”
While the message of the program was powerful, it took a lot of behind the scenes grit to bring it to life on the stage. Jones points out that for many of the Code Blue performers, mastering the art of stepping was a brand new challenge that required serious dedication.
“[A] majority of the girls have never stepped before,” Jones said. “It took discipline and practice consistently to pull off what they did the day of the black history program.”
The focus on well-being showed the importance of breaking old cycles and habits within the community. Jones noted that, while some struggles are internal, others are taught.
“Racism was never a kid thing. You’ve never seen a racist kindergartener,” Jones said. “It’s more of an adult thing and highlighting how we go from loving each other as kids and then we grow up to hate each other.”
Instead of letting society’s biases define them, Jones encourages students to find their own roots. She believes that the best way to fight outside negativity is to build a strong foundation within yourself.
“You need to know who you are in order to get where you’re trying to go,” Jones said. “A lot of the time, it’s hard to love yourself when you don’t know who you are, you don’t know where you came from.”
The energy it took to master those steps was only the beginning. That hard work wasn’t just about nailing the routine; it was about honoring the platform they were given.
“You are charged to hold your head up high. You are charged to be thankful, for being given the opportunity that some students still don’t have the privilege of doing,” Jones said.
For Jones, this isn’t just about feeling good—it’s about having the self-awareness to stand tall even when society tries to look down on you. She explained that when you take pride in where you come from, you gain a type of armor that protects your peace of mind.
“I don’t care if you’re white, black, Asian, Hispanic, whatever the case may be, when you learn to love yourself first, and you take pride in yourself first, everything else around you falls into place,” Jones said.
This sense of gratitude and responsibility also came with a reminder that students don’t need a title or club to make an impact. Code Blue’s Kaden Williams emphasized that personal drive matters more than being a part of an official group.
“Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do it just because you’re not in an organization,” Williams said. “You can always still do it if you really want to.”
While the students celebrated their own individual wins, Jones reminded the audience that the program’s message reached far beyond the school walls. The performance wasn’t just a celebration for one group, but a lesson for everyone.
”It’s just not black history, but it’s American history,” Jones said. “Black history is not just for African Americans, it’s for everybody.”
