BY JULIANNE MCSHANE
It was a celebration of color!
Young Coney Island scholars
marked the end of Black
History Month with a series
of performances that honored
black artists, authors, and leaders
of the past, according to the
local councilman, who said
the students’ showcase underscored
the importance of preserving
and celebrating the
country’s diverse cultures.
“The performances refl ect
why it is so critical that we continue
emphasizing inclusive,
multicultural education,” said
Councilman Mark Treyger (DConey
Island).
The Feb. 28 event, which took
place at PS 188 on Neptune Avenue
at W. 33rd Street, featured
kids from that and other local
learning houses displaying
their vocal, dance, and literary
talents. Pupils from PS 188 performed
Diana Ross’s 1970 tune
“Reach Out and Touch Somebody’s
Hand,” while youngsters
from nearby PS 90, on W.
12th Street between Neptune
and Surf avenues, sang civilrights
anthem “Ain’t Gonna
Let Nobody Turn Me Around,”
Bob Dylan’s 1962 hit, “Blowin’
in the Wind,” and Pete Seeger’s
1949 progressive number, “If
I Had a Hammer.” The PS 90
entertainers culminated their
part of the show with a dance
performance to poet Maya Angelou’s
“Still I Rise.”
Thespians from PS 288, on
W. 25th Street between Mermaid
and Surf avenues, followed
their peers’ performances
with a skit they dubbed
“The Conversation,” in which
COURIER L 14 IFE, MARCH 8–14, 2019 M BR B G
CELEBRATE: (Left) Youngsters at PS 188 took their school’s stage to perform
during the Black History Month event. (Above) Councilman Mark
Treyger honored local educators at the bash. Photos by Trey Pentecost
four young performers acted
out a discussion between former
President Barack Obama,
and late civil-rights leaders Dr.
Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm
X, and Marcus Garvey.
Other PS 288 students belted
out Stevie Wonder’s 1987 song,
“You Will Know,” as part of the
festivities.
But the spotlight wasn’t just
on the children — their mentors,
along with community
leaders, also joined in on the
tribute. Treyger and his staff
presented citations to a slew
of so-called black-history honorees,
including PS 90 principal
Greta Hawkins; PS 288
cheer coach and teacher Monica
Ramsey; her fellow cheer
coach, Taiji Rivera, who is also
a paraprofessional; PS 288’s
music teacher Katina Jones;
and PS 188 community school
director Altovise Green.
Kids honor black trailblazers