Dover middle school celebrates Black History Month

DOVER, Del. – A middle school in the Capital School District is taking a creative and fun approach to Black History Month.

Teachers and students at William Henry Middle School have decorated their classroom doors to feature influential African Americans. Most of the doors have names or pictures of historic figures including Ruby Bridges and Malcom X as well as more recent icons like Barrack and Michelle Obama, even Beyonce. Quite a few of the doors also feature the late Kobe Bryant.

Dr. William Henry, the man the school was named after, is also featured on some of the doors. Henry graduate from Delaware State College in 1902 and was the first Black physician to practice in lower Delaware. According to the school’s website, “Our building holds great historical significance for our community. William Henry Middle School was originally the William Henry Comprehensive High School, the only high school for African Americans in Dover.”

“Black history is American history. It’s very important for all students to learn where they come from and where their roots are. And just to make sure that we encourage them and let them know that no matter what outside obstacles they are facing, that they can do anything they set their minds to,” says Diona Talley, a 5th grade teacher at William Henry Middle School.

Talley also says this project has even allowed students to teach each other about the contributions of people they may never have heard of before.