Osseo Area Schools recognizes Black History Month each February, celebrating, honoring and learning about people or events that have impacted Black culture in our country’s history. Scholars at Edinbrook Elementary School recognized Black History Month with an assembly, which included a visit from Brooklyn Park Mayor Hollies Winston.
To begin the assembly, all of the scholars participated in singing the Edinbrook school song as well as the Black National Anthem “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” led by Music Specialist Denise Martineau and choir students at the front by the stage. Mayor Winston’s youngest daughter is a first grader at Edinbrook, and presented him flowers upon arriving.
“This is a privilege on my end,” Mayor Winston said. “I want you guys to know that the most important reason I ran is because of you guys. You are the future of our city, state and country.”
Students asked the mayor prepared questions, including what the process to become mayor was like, why did he want to become mayor, what is the best part of being mayor, what advice he has to be successful, what are some good qualities a mayor should have and what he likes to do in his free time.
Winston talked about the importance of remembering those who came before him that made what he does possible, and how important it is to remember and celebrate the different cultures that played a role in United States history.
“Black history is United States history,” Mayor Winston said. “I’m a part of Black history. There are a whole lot of people who came before me that let me be here.”
Following the assembly, Mayor Winston visited with his daughter’s first grade class, taught by Amanda Sullivan. He talked further about what he does each day as mayor, answered additional questions and helped the students complete a “if I was the mayor” activity.