Student club celebrates rich heritage at East Meadow H.S.
On March 3, the students at East Meadow High School filed into the auditorium as African-influenced music reverberated through the speakers. The students were invited to this assembly to witness a 40-minute program dedicated to the celebration of African-American heritage.
The students of the Ethnic Awareness Club had worked diligently for weeks putting together a program that had people talking about it days after it was finished. The bad weather and “snow days” forced the show to be rescheduled twice, but when it finally did happen, it was an immense success. The show started off strong with an energized EMHS step team performance. A rhythmic and coordinated display of stomping and stepping was truly a treat for the audience. The acts also included a dance group by the name of TKO who creatively incorporated Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech into their music mix and an emotional Hope for Haiti segment.
Chrystina Saintil, a student who is of Haitian background herself spoke about her reaction and reflected on the devastating earthquake that struck Haiti just weeks before.
Irine Thomas’ voice also accompanied a Haiti slideshow with Leonard Cohen’s famous “Hallelujah.” Marvi Cajoles and Youssef Leon entertained the audience with their harmonizing voices to ‘‘Heal the World’’, a Michael Jackson song with deep meaning. The performers also paid tribute to Michael Jackson with two special dance numbers.
Ruben Delgado and Cassandra Jean wowed the audience with their fluid movements as they danced across the stage to “Human Nature” and “I’ll Be There,” both Jackson classics. The show concluded with the high school’s very own jazz band, which performed under the direction of Stephen Engle. As a member of the Ethnic Awareness Club, I can say that each year, the show seems to get progressively better. The EAC is one of the most unique clubs at EMHS, with its diverse student membership as well as the true talent that exists in each of these students who take the stage each year.
Sabrina Sekaran is a senior at East Meadow High School.
