Tomorrow night, the OH Black Student Association (BSA) is hosting the Black Excellence Ball, a celebration of the culture, achievement, and community at OH.
OH senior and BSA board member Angela Hill said, “The Black Excellence Ball celebrates the success of our students with the minority honor roll award, and it celebrates unity as a club throughout the year.”
According to the club, BSA is a place to bond with other students through a shared culture, and the Black Excellence Ball is a night set aside to represent the invoked culture that many students experience.
Members of the club report that so much goes into the planning of the ball.
OH junior and BSA member Jazmin Hurston said, “We do a lot of group planning, and we all work together on finding decorations, getting guest speakers, spreading the word, and a lot of other things to ensure that the ball goes well and represents our club and the hard work and dedication Mrs. [Shaunise] Thomas has put into over the years and celebrate how much we’ve done this year.”
Hill added, “Palling for the ball mainly consists of constant work from our board members and sponsors in which we raise money and popularity through games and advertisement. We have to map out the entire month with events and activities in preparation for the ball which is our biggest club fundraiser for the year following.”
The ball was followed by a series of spirit days the previous week. On one of the days, the students were dressed like celebrities. The same night, they performed like celebrities in the auditorium and had fun activities for everyone that consisted of dancing and music.
BSA is important to many students. Hill explained, “[BSA] allows for a safe place in the black community, especially in a primarily white school. It’s also a place where [club members] form really good connections and bonds through our shared culture that we can expand on with this club.”
At the ball, the students will engage in activities like dancing, eating, taking photos, and listening to music. Attendance at the ball and being part of this experience is important for all students who are a part of BSA.
Hurston said, “[BSA] gave me an opportunity to be a part of a family outside my own and create bonds with unexpected people.”
Those wanting to attend may enter OH Door 24 and arrive at the auxiliary gym for the dance. Tickets will be available for purchase for $20. Program and a soul food dinner take place 6:30 p.m., and dancing and photos begin at 9:00 pm.
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