news-record.com

Aycock Middle School will present its first Black History Extravaganza at 2:30 p.m. Feb. 26, and the community is invited.

“We wanted to give our school positive exposure, get parents involved and let everyone know what Aycock is all about,” said Tiffany Teasley, the school’s 360 “Life Beyond Aycock” coordinator. “Due to the extreme diversity at Aycock, it is important to embrace all cultures, and this is one way to show our students the origin and creative voice that comes from the African American community.”

A student-produced event, the program will include a performance by the Wesley Williams and Company Urban Dance Theatre. A Greensboro-based professional dance company, the troupe is made up of adults and children, including Aycock eighth-grader Nicole Shaw.

Also, Aycock’s gospel choir, which is in its inaugural year, the Aycock Steppers and The Omega Psi Phi fraternity step group from N.C. A&T will perform. Keith Pemberton, Aycock’s social worker, is a part of Omega Psi Phi.

“The fraternity will serve as a college example of the unity of stepping much like our middle-school group,” Teasley said.

Also, the top three winners from the school’s black history poetry contest will present their pieces.
Many of the school’s language arts teachers use the month of February to focus on creative works by famous African Americans and blacks around the world, as well as learn several types of poetry styles.

“Regardless of ethnic background, many of our students have not been exposed to creativity in this manner,” Teasley said. “This is just our efforts to bring one more piece of the world to our community.”

Contact Jennifer Atkins Brown at 574-5582 or jennifer. brown@news-record.com