On Tuesday, February 1, students and staff attended the Black History Month assembly both virtually and in-person. The “United We Stand” assembly marks the beginning of the upcoming celebrations of African-American achievements this month. 

The 45-minute assembly was live-streamed for all classes, with some history classes having the opportunity to watch it in person in the auditorium. The multimedia program included live music, narration, and dancing to highlight the efforts of activists, such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks, who united for social change during the Civil Rights Era.

“United We Stand” deviated from traditional assemblies, as the performers encouraged students to sing along and interact with them. Senior Samuel Yi found himself engaging with the performers, saying that “singing along allowed me to feel connected to the presentation.” 

Junior Gabi Garcia expressed similar sentiments saying, “The music, which altered throughout the presentation depending on the major topic of the presentation, really helped to display the mood that these presenters were trying to create.”

According to History Supervisor Daniel Austin, the history department “tries to bring a variety of programs that are interactive, engaging, and meaningful.” Austin emphasizes that “‘United We Stand’ has a lot of diverse perspectives in the presentation, and it’s important to be unified.” The history department hopes to continue to bring worthwhile assemblies, like “United We Stand,” in the coming years to honor Black History Month.