* Disclaimer: Mel Bright-Jackson, a staff reporter of 42Fifty, and a co-author of this article, was recognized as a Black honor roll student during the Black Tie Ball event.
On Feb. 24, 2024, the OH Black Student Association (BSA) hosted its Black Tie Ball for a second year in the OH auxiliary gym, encouraging students to grab their suits and heels.
The ball is when Black honor roll students receive individual recognition with pins and certificates for their academic excellence. Guests were delighted with delicious soul food, entertainment, and Black-centered music by a DJ.
The night began with a speech from BSA advisor, Shaunise Thomas, describing the association as her baby and the members as her right-hand people. After the speech, senior JaKhai Hudson played the Black National Anthem, “Lift Every Voice,” on his clarinet.
Guest speakers, Illinois representative Lauren Underwood and SD308 superintendent Dr. Andalib Khelghati, were invited to speak about their careers and lives to inspire and empower students attending.
The speakers explain why they chose their careers and how they achieved their goals. They provide real examples for students to see: people of color are capable of excellence too, no matter their background.
The ball also provides learning opportunities for BSA members, who are assigned jobs for the event. These jobs include helping with music, searching for decorations, or communicating with our guest speakers.
“[The aim of the event is] to inspire all attendees. From the audience; to the honor roll kids; to the helpers; and even the BSA members; we want everyone to leave better than they came,” said senior and BSA event coordinator Briana Tucker. “We want everyone to be inspired to push for a goal, any goal, and we want to offer a support base to help them achieve it.”
February is the busiest month for the BSA since it’s Black History Month. Preparations to bring attention to important Black authors, political figures, artists, and inventors are done beforehand to ensure BSA is prepared for February. Everything after that is to have the association in a comfortable position to accomplish its goals for next year.
“It’s important for people to learn about Black history and what [Black] people have been through,” said senior Dune Stearman, “Schools with a mostly white population should teach people the complete history of people of color.”
There is a lot of history of Black Americans in the Oswegoland area. Black Americans have been in the Kendall County area longer than many know. Black history here starts as far back as the early 19th century, three decades before the Civil War.
The first documented Black people in Kendall County were Black women named Dinah and Silvie, who were former slaves.
During and after the 1880s, Black farming communities moved outward toward Aurora and Plano for more industrial jobs.
Oswego High School was the first high school in Kendall County to have a Black graduate in 1903, Ferdinand Smith, the grandson of an escaped slave and a Civil War veteran. His sister, Mary Smith, would follow suit in 1904, making her the first Black woman to graduate from the county.
Along with the history from centuries ago, Black Americans will continue to make history everywhere, including the community of Kendall County. Ranging from first-generation Black Oswegians going to college and graduating to Beyonce becoming the first Black woman with a country song to become number one on the US country charts. Black Americans have been here and will always be here.
Hello, I´m Aiyana. I´m a senior working my first year along side the 42fifty staff here at Oswego High School.
Amazing writing. Great work!