Kent Brandstetter wanted to find a way to help open up students' minds to different cultures.

For the last several years, the Auburn Enlarged City School District Board of Education member has coordinated a Black History Month student assembly at East Middle School. Friday marked the fourth year for the program.

"I just saw a need to educate children in our community," Brandstetter said. "I wanted our students to have an understanding of all different groups of people and try to eliminate some of the prejudice we see in today's world."

Each year a variety of speakers attend the assembly in an attempt to offer students new perspectives on African American history and heritage. This year's speakers included Auburn native Glen Fletcher, Harriet Tubman Home site manager Rev. Paul G. Carter and Auburn Mayor Tim Lattimore.

"I think this is a wonderful opportunity to address the city as it relates to African American history and teach children how that history relates to the world," Carter said.

Carter is from North Carolina originally but has been living in the Auburn area for 15 years. This was the first time he has come to speak to the East Middle School students.

"We need to educate children to the legacy of Harriet Tubman, she is an international figure who put her life on the line for her people," Carter said. "But education is only beneficial if it is perpetuated throughout the whole year, this sort of education should not be limited to just one month."

A forth generation Auburnian and active member of the NAACP, Fletcher follows the same philosophy as Carter and works with a number of youth groups throughout the county as a motivational speaker and early education advocate.

"I try to rock and sock the kids whenever I get a chance," Fletcher said. "It is all about opening students up and making them aware by tapping into resources we have right here in our community."

To help alert Cayuga County students to these resources, they were asked to enter an essay contest in which they would write about an African American and their historical contributions.

Students were encouraged to use the library and Internet to research their subjects. Among the winners of the contest were three East Middle School students.

As part of the assembly Lattimore read one essay that he felt stood out.

"As mayor I feel that every day I learn something new," Lattimore said. "And it is amazing what we can learn from the mouths of babes."

While the speakers were upbeat and inspirational, students were further entertained by the High School Step Club, which showed up to perform. The club, which was first formed in 1997, performed a series of dance routines that have origins in early African Dance.

"As members of the only minority club at Auburn High School, members celebrate themselves and their cultures by exploring who they are," Step Club coordinator and high school teacher Keith Lavey said. "These ladies aren't just members of a club, though. They are friends as well."

At the end of the assembly. students were encouraged to take the lessons they had been taught and apply them to their everyday lives. Brandstetter is hopeful the message was heard.

"I want these kids to walk away with a better understanding of what diversity means, as well as a deeper appreciation for the African American community," Brandstetter said.

Staff writer Ashley Lipsky can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 235 or at ashley.lipsky@lee.net