The 21 winners of the Cherry Hill African American Civic Association (CHAACA)/The Rev. Ivan George essay, poster and video contest were honored at a school board meeting on Feb. 24.
The session was crowded with parents and students holding their posters and waiting in anticipation for the doors to open so they could show off their awards. Dr. Hamisi Tarrant, the CHAACA representative on the board, presented the winners, each of who walked in front of board members as their names were called, some carrying their winning posters.
After a round of applause, board president Gina Winters thanked everyone for coming.
“It’s always a special night,” she said. “We really appreciate you being here. Good job parents and family members.”
This year’s contest was conducted during the 100th anniversary of Black History Month and required elementary-school students and graduating seniors to depict an African American artist born before 1970. They could include musicians, dancers, actors, journalists, painters, sculptors, photographers and designers.
While students could choose their own subject, the CHAACA included a list for students of potential individuals, which this year including the likes of singer Aretha Franklin and filmmaker Spike Lee.
In previous years, CHAACA had asked students to write about famous Black people in medicine and civil rights, which Tarrant – whose mother started the contest about 10 years ago – said is important to show the successes of Black people throughout history.
“Me growing up as a kid, Black history was extremely important,” he recalled. “Just learning about our past and learning about the struggles, but also learning about the successes. It wasn’t all the bad. It was her way to show me good role models and show that African Americans do a lot of other things …
“Each year kind of takes on a different theme to just enrich students and learn about different African Americans in U.S. history.”
The contest saw about 45 entries for seven groups of grades, with each having a first-, second- and third-place winner. Gift cards were awarded, with the amount determined by groups. Kindergarten through third-graders received a card worth $15 for third place; $20 for second; and $25 for first, while 12th-graders got $50 for third place, $75 for second and $100 for first.
Superintendent Kwame Morton addressed the participating students.
“Congratulations … to all students that were awarded tonight as part of the CHAACA poster essay video contest,” he noted. “I always marvel at the students’ interest and (how they take) an opportunity to celebrate African American culture. Thank you to Dr. Tarrant and to CHAACA for continuing this awareness and the recognition of African American people.”
Tarrant said he appreciated how diverse all the winners were and the joy the contest brings, especially to the younger students.
“We have students from different cultural backgrounds,” he explained. “Probably close to half a dozen different cultures represented who participate in the Black history contest. So that’s probably the most unique thing. And then the smiles from our elementary guys, cause they really enjoy making posters. They put a lot of effort into it, so it’s good to see them smile and be recognized.”
