Local drum line that meets weekly to practice and learn to read music with a local drum teacher.

 

 

The youths all sign an agreement that they will keep grades at a “C” level or better in each class and maintain good attendance and behavior in school and at home.

There is little or no cost for this program.

---

Black heritage to be celebrated in Fort Dodge

Miss Heritage Pageant, activities, meal planned for event

By SARAH GENGLER, Messenger staff writer

POSTED: February 14, 2008

The third annual Black History Month program will be held Saturday at the Eagles Ballroom and will feature 30 to 40 local teens, at different times throughout the night. 

This year’s program will again be hosted by the Athletics for Education and Success program and will feature a number of activities as well as a full meal. The Miss Heritage Pageant will be held with approximately 15 teens participating this year and the crown to be given sometime throughout the evening. 

‘‘The pageant is primarily for African-American young women, but any minority can participate,’’ said Charles Clayton, director of AES and the coordinator of the Black History Month program.

A game of ‘Who am I’ will be played with the audience, letting the teens choose a black person from history and give the audience five different prompts that will help them guess who their person is.

‘‘They are picking people who aren’t your typical choices,’’ Clayton commented. ‘‘They even had me stumped the other night.’’

Activities coordinator with the AES program, Pat Preston, will be leading nine teens in a play called ‘‘I Have a Dream.’’

‘‘It focuses on Martin Luther King Jr.’s childhood years and the things that made him strive to do what he did,’’ Preston said. 

One of the newest activities that AFES has developed is the teen drum line called ‘‘Fresh Success Crew.’’ The eight-man band will be playing an array of drums for the audience Saturday night under the direction of its new coach, Dean Davis.

‘‘They’re very new but are ready to perform this weekend in front of an audience,’’ Clayton said.

The keynote speaker for the event will be local minister, the Rev. Shawn Roberts. With all activities combined the program will run from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. 

‘‘The program was longer last year so we’re trying to condense it this year,’’ Clayton said. 

Fried chicken, baked beans, potato salad, rolls, a drink and dessert are included in the price of a ticket. Tickets can be purchased in advance from the AES office or at the door on Saturday.