A mime routine was among the performances staged by Yokota West Elementary students Friday to celebrate African-American history and culture. (Grant Okubo/Stars and Stripes)
A mime routine was among the performances staged by Yokota West Elementary students Friday to celebrate African-American history and culture. (Grant Okubo/Stars and Stripes)
Students perform a mime routine Friday to celebrate African-American history and culture at Yokota West Elementary School in Japan. (Grant Okubo/Stars and Stripes)
Students celebrate African-American history and culture with a performance Friday at Yokota West Elementary School. (Grant Okubo/Stars and Stripes)
Yokota West Elementary students perform for their classmates Friday as they celebrate African-American history and culture. (Grant Okubo/Stars and Stripes)
Students perform an interpretive dance routine Friday to celebrate African-American history and culture at Yokota West Elementary School in Japan. (Grant Okubo/Stars and Stripes)
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan — In front of the entire student body Friday, 60 enthusiastic students at Yokota West Elementary celebrated African-American history through song and dance.
Performing various mime, interpretive dances and skits, the group of first through fifth-graders shared their knowledge of the many great African-American innovators and pioneers.
“I learned about everything African-Americans invented,” said Russell Morton, an 11-year-old fifth-grader. During Friday’s presentation, Russell played the role of William B. Purvis, the inventor of the ballpoint pen. After his performance, he said he was also fascinated by pioneer Carter G. Woodson.
“He was one of the first African-Americans to go to college and get a Ph.D.,” said Russell. “It’s important to learn about other heritages.”
Yvette Andrews, a fourth-grade teacher and one of the organizers of the event, expressed her satisfaction over the outcome of the event.
“The kids learned so much and now understand the importance of respecting other cultures,” Andrews said.
