Riley High School students celebrate Black History Month center stage

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Riley High School students took center stage Wednesday to celebrate Black History month, and they took it personally.

Aniyah Veal, a senior at Riley, had the idea to put on a Black History Month program, as she discovered the school didn't already have one in place.

When she asked Mr. (Principal) Henderson in October 2023 if she could help organize a Black History Month program, he said yes.

Black History Month: The Past, The Present, the Future was born.

Veal took part in the program as well, performing a poem and rap.

"It's about Black excellence and it's about what some of our ancestors and what people back in the day went through. How they marched for Martin Luther King and everything," explained Veal.

Sheneka Scales, Restorative Justice Facilitator at Riley oversaw the program and supported Veal in her work.

"What stood out to me the most was how hype the kids were. I was a little worried about the freshmens and um, just how some kids would react to it. But everyone seemed to adapt to it, everyone seemed to enjoy it. That part stood out to me the most," Scales added.

Multiple students participated in the experience of sharing original songs and poems, as well as famous African American pieces through history.

"Riley was able to celebrate Black History Month in a way that is unique and different than ever before," stated Assistant Principal Jory Hardman.

Two programs were presented throughout the day. All grade levels could participate in and attend the programs.

Wilison Elementary students were also invited to participate.

"I love the fact that we were able to bring in more schools and I hope that we're able to do it again," shared Scales.