The Bolles Middle School Bartram Campus hosted enriching presentations in honor of Black History Month, including a powerful performance called “At the Table with Dr. King” and an informative convocation led by Grade 8 students – with another set for later this month.

On February 4, the entire student body gathered in Parker Auditorium for the “At the Table with Dr. King” presentation, featuring a thought-provoking blend of live music, spoken word and multimedia to shed light on the life and struggles of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his contemporaries.

The captivating performance brought to life Dr. King’s “Knock at Midnight” and portions of the American Civil Rights movement. The professional musicians, singers and orators in the group emphasized the valuable lessons of equality and respect and challenged students to pursue creative acts of service and leadership in their communities.

The performers also asked the middle schoolers to reflect on this question: “When you receive the call, how will you respond?” Bolles middle school English teacher and advisor Gabi Fudge said the call-and-response theme was featured throughout the entire performance.

“[The theme] was highlighted by how the instruments engaged with each other in jazz music and how the singers engaged the audience,” Fudge said. “It was brought home with the opening and closing moment when Dr. King answered his phone at the kitchen table in the middle of that fateful night and made the choice to be brave and not back down in his crusade to ensure civil rights for all.”

As a follow-up to “At the Table with Dr. King,” students discussed in their Advisory groups how they can make choices to be UPstanders instead of BYstanders when answering the call for help from others. This lesson was further reinforced during the Grade 7 field trip to Jacksonville's Museum of Science & History (MOSH), where they engaged with “Lives Eliminated, Dreams Illuminated” – an exhibit featuring remarkable portraits based on archival photographs of girls and young women whose lives were senselessly lost during the Holocaust.

Eighth graders in Civics with Bolles middle school teacher Allison Greene are also taking the stage during Black History Month to share information about important Black Americans and significant historical events. The first student-led presentation, held February 10 during convocation, centered on the life and impact of James Weldon Johnson. The second program will cover the Tallahassee Bus Boycotts on February 25 during convocation.

Thank you to all the students for their attention throughout the month! #BollesFamily