District 116 Celebrates Cultural Heritage
Event a Chance for Schools and Community to Come Together
Many community members, parents, and students braved the elements February 22 to come to the Urbana Civic Center to celebrate Black History Month with “Cultural Fest 2008.”
Each District 116 school had a display for the public, and there were several community agencies and services represented at the festival as well. “I hope out of this (event), this will be one way to bring our community and our school district together,” says event coordinator and Director of Secondary Alternative Education Grace Mitchell. “One of the things that we really want to encourage is that the community and the parents in Urbana utilize the services in the community. I’m hoping they’ll get something out of it,” she adds.
“Cultural Fest 2008” was more that an informational gathering. Students representing grades K-12 performed music, dance, and readings for the audience. There was also a raffle that gave away door prizes. A cultural festival isn’t complete without food, and the guests enjoyed a “soul food” dinner.
“Our school district is very significant in this community and … hopefully through this experience it will bring families together and what a better time to do it than Black History Month. So, it’s not just about children of color, it’s about all the students that Urbana School District serves,” Mitchell explains.
In 2007 Mitchell helped organize a mini-cultural festival at Urbana High School during Black History Month and set plans in motion for the first-ever all-district event. “And of course in my mind I said, ‘Wow this would be something great for the entire school district with all of the schools participating’ and it’s a dream that’s become a reality,” Mitchell says.