Nearly 800 students line Frederica Street for Black History celebration

February 19, 2019 | 3:00 am

Updated February 19, 2019 | 7:44 am

The entire Owensboro High School student body braved the cold Monday and lined the sidewalk in front of OHS for a Black History Month celebration. | Photo by Ashley Sorce

Afternoon commuters may have been surprised Monday while driving down Frederica Street. Nearly 800 high schoolers — the entire Owensboro High School student body — braved the cold and lined the sidewalk in front of OHS for a Black History Month celebration.

OHS teacher Lori Thurman said there was more participation this year despite the cold weather. | Photo by Ashley Sorce

Students in Lori Thurman’s African American History are tasked with creating a project each semester that educates their peers on what they have learned in class. Past projects have included videos and PowerPoint presentations, but Thurman said students last year wanted to do something memorable and decided on a rally celebrating Black History Month.

Thurman’s classes chose to have the celebration again this year and invited the entire school. Students made posters of inspirational quotes from famous African Americans throughout history and even large posters of the faces of historical figures like Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Maya Angelou.

Fifteen-year-old cousins Myla and Jamaria Curry are not in any of Thurman’s history classes, but wanted to support their classmates in the celebration.

“We want to let others see our point of view, how we feel,” Jamaria said.

Myla echoed her cousin’s sentiments, saying she hoped to show Owensboro that she cared.

“We are here to change some things and hopefully their point of view,” Myla said.

February 19, 2019 | 3:00 am

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