Hampton Celebrates Black History Month

                                                             By The Hampton Herald Staff
Hampton Elementary School celebrated Black History Month by decorating their classroom doors to display a different influential African American.

    The theme for the classroom doors was “Anything is Possible.”  The first African American Supreme Court Justice, Ketanji Brown Jackson said, "Our children are telling me that they see now, more than ever, that here in America, anything is possible,” and Hampton decided to use that quote as inspiration for their classroom doors.

    Hampton’s Assistant Principal, Mrs. Crosell, explained that they chose to decorate classroom doors for several reasons.  Students and faculty members can see the doors as they walk through the hallway, they can learn a little more about influential African Americans, and it can inspire students of all colors.

    This was the first year that Hampton celebrated Black History Month as a whole school community.

    “It is important that children learn about everyone in our school,” said Mrs. Crosell.

    Hampton believes it is important for students to learn about everyone’s history.

    “The good things and the bad things,” Mrs. Crosell said.

    Mrs. Crosell chose “The Divine Nine,” which are African American fraternities and sororities.  They were founded at a time when African American students were excluded from other fraternities and sororities.  Mrs. Crosell was a member of Sigma Gamma Rho. 

    Throughout the school, teachers and students chose an influential African American who embodied “Anything is Possible.”

    “I picked Simone Biles because she is a very impressive individual. In addition to being exceptionally talented, she is a strong person who has overcome many challenges to succeed. She has also prioritized her own health ahead of her sport, which has made her an excellent role model for the rest of us,” said Mrs. Williams, a fifth-grade teacher.

    Some classes voted on different options.

“The class voted between George- Washington-Carver and Lebron James,” said Mrs. Young.

    There were lots of different displays throughout the school including Michael Jordan, Barack Obama, Mae Jemison, Katherine Johnson, Crispus Atticks, and Motown.

    “It was a good way for students to learn about people that they have never heard about,” Mrs. Crosell said.

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