Alena Thomas is a senior at Forestville Central Schools.

FORESTVILLE — Senior class member Alena Thomas took on an important role in the school district’s effort to educate students on Black History Month.

Earlier this month, school board member Sylvester Cleary reported a committee was put together that includes himself, cafeteria manager Sarah LoMonto, High School Principal Dan Grande and Thomas to come up with some different ways to observe Black History Month.

“She put together morning announcements with topics related to Black History Month,” said Forestville school board member Merv Fry. “One day she talked about Marvin Gaye and the meaning behind his song ‘What’s Going On’ then played the song for the students to listen to.”

Forestville’s school lunches have also changed as part of the effort by the committee and Thomas. The menu included southern style macaroni and cheese with green beans and cornbread, chicken fajitas, Nigerian Rice, roasted carrots, chickpeas and onions, and chicken and waffles with peach cobbler.

“They’re doing some things and it’s really great to have student involvement in something like that,” said Fry.

High School Principal Dan Grande said that Thomas has been involved in this process since last year, pushing this with him even back then. Grande told her that they’d do that this year, and had nothing but praise for how much work Thomas has put into this.

See HISTORY, Page A3

History

“She’s done an amazing job overall but mainly in getting student participation,” Grande said “She has quite the committee together and yes, a lot of the resources we have shared with her, but a bulk of the work has been done by that committee. It’s not just falling on the shoulders of one person, but Alena has done an amazing job.”

He noted that it’s more than just going over history, and instead involves sharing things like music and food with different students and staff members in the school.

“We even have a bulletin board with different items on it for students to read,” the principal said. “It’s just been a full immersion of Black History Month for the first time I think here at Forestville. We’ve done things before but there’s more of a celebration this year than ever.”

And for Thomas in particular, being able to embrace her heritage and share it with her peers is a meaningful endeavor to her. However, she knows just how much work there is to be done.

“Progress is never over,” she said. “For me, celebrating my African American heritage shows appreciation for the sacrifices people have made before me, while highlighting the work we still need to accomplish as a society to provide equal opportunities for all.”