Huntley High School hosts first event centered on Black History Month in years

The power of stories can never be understated.

Former and current students of color from Huntley High School sought to show this Thursday night, sharing their stories and struggles as part of a panel at an event hosted by the school’s Recognizing American Diversity Committee.

Shaina Pocztowski, chair of the school’s English department and one of the event’s organizers, said Thursday’s event is part of a series of celebrations that take place every month through the RAD Committee, a districtwide initiative that works to recognize and celebrate diverse perspectives that have been underrepresented.

In addition to curating a variety of opportunities for students to engage in other cultures and perspectives, the committee highlights one identity or culture every month and hosts an event around it, Pocztowski said. The choice typically aligns with national recognition, such as February being Black History Month.

“I think there’s a lot of excitement,” she said. “You can feel the energy in the room.”

The event featured activities and attractions for younger kids as well as adults. Kids had a chance to color and work on some crafts, and the Jesse White Tumblers, a Chicago-based acrobat team that aims to provide an alternative for kids struggling with social issues, performed.

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Mary Hudson, of Huntley, peruses books during the Black History Month event, titled “Celebrating Black Stories: Narratives on Identity, Belonging and Community,” which was held Feb. 24, 2022, at Huntley High School. (Patrick Kunzer for Shaw Local)

Huntley High School Principal Marcus Belin said he thought it was interesting to hear the experiences and stories from students who have gone through the school. Belin, who is Black, said he wasn’t surprised by the stories, since much of what was discussed were things he also experienced growing up.

His takeaway was a reinforcement that it’s important to continue to work to address biases and meet kids where they are.

“I’m not going to eradicate racism at Huntley High School,” he said. “Our goal is to try and limit it as much as possible.”

Syed Hashm, a senior at Huntley High School, said it was his first time attending an event put on by the RAD Committee. He said there is a certain level of diversity in Huntley, but it’s not shown as much.

“It’s really good to see the cultures presented in a good way, at least in a school setting,” he said.

Caitlyn Letran, a junior attending the event, shared sentiments similar to Hashm.

“I think it’s something we don’t see in this community,” she said. “There is a lack of diversity.”

Belin said that in the time he’s been principal, he thinks diversity has grown in the community. More opportunities and expansion in the area have brought with it people from all different backgrounds, and so it’s important for the school to be ready for those different perspectives coming through the door, he said.

It’s important to recognize that everybody’s story matters and to treat everyone as a human being first, he said.

“Race can be put in a context that is divisive to the community,” Belin said. “What I try to tell everybody is that everybody matters and their stories matter. … That’s the dignity we should give everybody.”

Belin said he hopes more and more people will come out to RAD Committee events as the group becomes more established. He said since his tenure started about four years ago, this is the first event he’s seen at the school centered on Black History Month.

“This is just scratching the surface of really getting our kids seen and heard,” he said. “It’s not just a month where we have some bulletin boards and posters.”

The RAD Committee also is relatively young after starting last year and hosting its first event recognizing the Latinx community in September, Pocztowski said. October recognized individuals with disabilities, and November recognized indigenous people, she said.

Pocztowski said next month’s event will highlight women in America, while April will focus on the LGBTQ+ community.