Watch Friday’s fashion show above.
Long polka dot skirts from the ’50s, black leather jackets from the ’60s, and bell bottoms from the ’70s all made a return to Hill Regional Career High School as it celebrated Black fashion throughout the years.
The school took a trip back to the future with the fashion show Friday afternoon during its annual Black History Month celebration.
Students said the show demonstrated how “Black history is more than oppression,” that there’s a vibrant history of Black talent and creativity through music, dance, fashion, art, and poetry.
As students strutted through the auditorium crowd serving reminders of history like the activism of the Black Panthers, music from each decade provided the crowd of hundreds with the chance to take a trip down memory lane.
Music ranged from “Solitude” by Billie Holiday, Aretha Franklin’s “One Step Ahead,”” Le Freak” by Chic, “Superstition” by Stevie Wonder, “Rock With You” by Michael Jackson, to “C.R.E.A.M” by Wu-Tang Clan, “Crank That” by Soulja Boy, “Diamonds” by Rihanna, and the more recent “FTCU” by Nicki Minaj and “First Person Shooter” by Drake.
Students wore outfits with traditional prints representing the African diaspora.
The assembly included choral performances, student poetry, and a video made by students in AP African American Studies, a class introduced this academic year. In the video, students discussed the importance of learning “hidden” history about their heritage and their ancestors.
“Taking this AP course has made me feel more connected to my roots,” said one student in the video. The students stressed about the importance of teaching such a course, especially during a time when Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis rejected allowing similar courses to be taught in his state.
The school’s special guest for the Friday celebration was Connecticut U.S. Attorney Vanessa Avery, who received a recognition award and talked about her journey from Career High graduate living in Newhallville to prominent attorney. She took a trip down memory lane as students sang and danced to historic classics like “Golden” by Jill Scott.
“We’re excited to celebrate everyday, reflect, and appreciate this history from before and that’s still continuing,” said Career Principal Shawn True.