Dialog reporter
WILMINGTON — The St. Elizabeth High School community is hoping a Feb. 12 presentation about the life of the United States’ first African-American priest, Father Augustus Tolton, is a springboard for an annual celebration of Black History Month.
Deacon Ken Pulliam, a permanent deacon assigned to St. Elizabeth Parish, relayed the story of Father Tolton, whose parents were slaves and who overcame several obstacles on his path to ordination. Deacon Pulliam was invited to speak by senior Chris Carver, who had harbored a dream since his freshman year of establishing a program for Black History Month at the school.
“It was important for me because I thought it would change the perception of African Americans,” Carver said. “It would also inform people. African-American history is part of American history, but sometimes it’s just left out.”
Deacon Pulliam said Father Tolton’s story is important for all students to hear, regardless of race, because it tells a story of a man who answered a call and experienced challenges along the way. That is something anyone can relate to.
“His message of being a trailblazer is just very powerful. I wouldn’t be a deacon today if it wasn’t for him. African-American priests that we have in the dioceses around this country, likely they wouldn’t be here today without him blazing the trail. So it’s a very important message for all the kids who are gathered,” he said.
Carver approached principal Shirley Bounds about creating something at St. Elizabeth. Bounds wanted to support a student-initiated idea and thought it had a lot of potential.
“Part of our mission statement is that we need to be welcoming to all people and to help people understand where we are as a country and in our history,” she said.
Bounds enlisted the help of Jessica Shoja, the chairperson of the social studies department. Shoja said the students organized the activities, which also include announcements each day regarding an historical fact or a quote involving black history.
St. Elizabeth students also created artwork and a tapestry related to black history. Those pieces are displayed around the school.
Marc Brown, a senior member of the National Honor Society, has been involved in organizing the morning announcements. One day, the fact was about the United States’ first African-American college, followed by a quote about education.
“It’s been real enlightening for me because I get to be a part of a great thing that Chris is doing in the school, and I feel as if I’m building a legacy,” Brown said.
Carver has involved some underclassmen so this project can endure after his graduation.
“If it was one year, it might not serve its purpose, but if it becomes an annual thing, that would be really great,” he said.
Bounds said it is important for a program such as this to start small and be successful, and Deacon Pulliam’s presentation was a success. She said St. Elizabeth has a list of distinguished African-American graduates, so perhaps bringing them in to speak would be a natural progression in the future.
