Student performers rapped, recited poetry, played music, sang and danced to express their cultural pride and diversity in “A Night at The Apollo,” held in the high school Commons on Friday, Feb. 21.
The highly anticipated event, now in its second year, was hosted by the Black Student Union (BSU) in honor of Black History Month, under the guidance of Antonette Berkeley, the club adviser. The evening encourages students of color to not only share their cultures but also their talent with the audience.
This year’s performances showcased the club members’ wide array of talents in a variety of artistic expression meant to bring together people from different cultures. Students also dressed in ethnic outfits to help fully express the cultures they were highlighting.
Notable acts included the harmonious trio of seniors Mikayla Watkins, Alexa Rowe and Tanicka Cosmey, who paid tribute to the excellence of black musical theater with a performance from the Broadway show “Dreamgirls.” Cosmey also wowed the audience with her jazzy R&B solo, “At Last” by Etta James. Seniors Aliyah Lambo, Ashley Rondon and Mia Ball and sophomore Evelyn Schultz recited original poetry, which included the use of symbolism to convey themes of race, identity, striving for equality and pride.
Other noteworthy voices included juniors Jayna Josaphat singing “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” a hymn that’s often referred to as “The Black National Anthem”; Hannah Hutchinson performing “I Have Nothing” by Whitney Houston and Ashly Alphonse with “Peace of Mind” by Lauryn Hill.
In addition, sophomore Chelsy Tejada choreographed and performed a dance to “Cozy” by Beyoncé. Finally, Mikayla Watkins closed the show with a spectacular performance of “The Wizard And I” from “Wicked.”
Prior to the show, both attendees and performers enjoyed cultural dishes, which they had brought to the event to share with one another. “I brought Jamaican food and Indian dessert to highlight the richness of both cultures,” explained senior Alexa Rowe, the BSU president.
Bringing delicious food to the event wasn’t Rowe’s only job, however. “I also helped with organizing and making sure the event ran smoothly because I wanted Apollo Night to feel professional, exciting and memorable for everyone involved.”
The night was especially significant for seniors in the Class of 2025. This is because the BSU club was established in 2021, their freshman year of high school. Members said that the club brought them a new sense of community following the feelings of isolation they’d experienced during the Covid-related quarantine.
Only two years in, Apollo Night has become an event that many BSU members said they look forward to. The BSU noted that the club is committed to continuing and even expanding the Apollo Night tradition in the years to come. “To make Apollo Night better in the upcoming years, we should incorporate games into the event,” Cosmey suggested. “Having games in Apollo Night will help the audience feel included and engaged.”
“We could improve by expanding the lineup to include even more diverse performances, maybe incorporating more Caribbean, Afrobeat or jazz-inspired acts,” Rowe added.
As for the club itself, members of BSU said they see it as a gathering space where students of color can be their most authentic selves, have deep informational discussions, advocate for their community and play some fun games. Students who are interested in joining BSU and performing on Apollo Night can contact Antonette Berkeley, the club adviser, at [email protected].
