AUBURN - The steady beat from an ensemble of percussion instruments, the echoes of feet stomping and hands slapping together, the voice of a storyteller and the enthusiasm from a group of fifth graders reverberated off the walls of East Middle School's auditorium Friday.
Sam Tenney / The Citizen
D'lores Buckner Simmons, also known as the “Storiteacha,” addresses fifth-graders from all of the Auburn Enlarged City School District schools at East Middle School Friday morning. Simmons, the featured speaker at the Auburn Human Rights Commission's Juneteenth Day remembrance and celebration, spoke about the end of slavery and the importance of Juneteenth to all Americans.
D'lores Buckner Simmons, also known as the “Storiteacha,” addresses fifth-graders from all of the Auburn Enlarged City School District schools at East Middle School Friday morning. Simmons, the featured speaker at the Auburn Human Rights Commission's Juneteenth Day remembrance and celebration, spoke about the end of slavery and the importance of Juneteenth to all Americans.
The Auburn Human Rights Committee and the Auburn Enlarged City School District celebrated Juneteenth Day Friday, a national annual celebration of the ending of slavery. While President Abraham Lincoln issued his Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, the news did not spread throughout all the states until 1865.
Sitting in East Middle School's auditorium, fifth graders from all five of the district's elementary schools listened to percussion beats - which originated in Africa and became a musical staple of the slaves - belted out by East Assistant Principal Michael Hayden, district non-instructional staff member Bill Barlo and three students who helped out with the cowbell and two hollow garbage cans.
“Music is powerful,” Hayden said to the enchanted crowd. “It's communication and you can communicate without words.”
Music was especially powerful to the slaves, who couldn't communicate while on the plantation, he added.
And then came the bold voice of D'lores Buckner Simmons, the “Storiteacha,” shaking a shekere, a hollowed gourd covered in a beaded net that creates a rattling sound, singing Spirituals the slaves sung more than 150 years ago.
Simmons shared stories with her audience, stories meant to inspire and capture the imaginations of the rows of enthralled fifth graders.
She spoke about having purpose, patience, courage and confidence in life.
“Carry those things as you go to middle school and high school,” she said. “Always remember your purpose for going to school.”
The East Middle School Step Team also made an appearance, stomping, clapping and snapping to the music and rhythm of Usher's “Yeah.”
While Juneteenth is a celebration of African American freedom, it also celebrates a sense of pride and respect in other cultures.
“We shouldn't be judged by our culture,” Mike O'Hearn, 10, of Auburn said.
Jacob Weed, 10, and Saawan Patel, 11, share that sentiment.
“Our country is filled with different cultures, Indian, African American, Mexican,” Patel said.
Added Weed, “We have different types of cultures in America. We're open to everyone.”
Staff writer Alyssa Sunkin can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 239 or alyssa.sunkin@lee.net
Sitting in East Middle School's auditorium, fifth graders from all five of the district's elementary schools listened to percussion beats - which originated in Africa and became a musical staple of the slaves - belted out by East Assistant Principal Michael Hayden, district non-instructional staff member Bill Barlo and three students who helped out with the cowbell and two hollow garbage cans.
“Music is powerful,” Hayden said to the enchanted crowd. “It's communication and you can communicate without words.”
Music was especially powerful to the slaves, who couldn't communicate while on the plantation, he added.
And then came the bold voice of D'lores Buckner Simmons, the “Storiteacha,” shaking a shekere, a hollowed gourd covered in a beaded net that creates a rattling sound, singing Spirituals the slaves sung more than 150 years ago.
Simmons shared stories with her audience, stories meant to inspire and capture the imaginations of the rows of enthralled fifth graders.
She spoke about having purpose, patience, courage and confidence in life.
“Carry those things as you go to middle school and high school,” she said. “Always remember your purpose for going to school.”
The East Middle School Step Team also made an appearance, stomping, clapping and snapping to the music and rhythm of Usher's “Yeah.”
While Juneteenth is a celebration of African American freedom, it also celebrates a sense of pride and respect in other cultures.
“We shouldn't be judged by our culture,” Mike O'Hearn, 10, of Auburn said.
Jacob Weed, 10, and Saawan Patel, 11, share that sentiment.
“Our country is filled with different cultures, Indian, African American, Mexican,” Patel said.
Added Weed, “We have different types of cultures in America. We're open to everyone.”
Staff writer Alyssa Sunkin can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 239 or alyssa.sunkin@lee.net
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