Orr elementary school holds event celebrating Black History Month

TYLER, Texas (KETK) — Orr Elementary in Tyler kicked off February with their Orr-mazing Black History Program, celebrating with current and former students alongside prominent members in the community.

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Some students portrayed historical figures and Tyler High School Choir and Orr Drumline performed during the event.

“I played some different things than other people that play because I was the person who showed off more,” Fifth grader Camari Chapple, a drumline member, said.

Principle Lauren Smith said the program was filled with former students, including current teachers.

“Being able to see former Tyler ISD students rise and be teachers and constables and all these different things, I hope that they took that connection to know that the sky is the limit for them,” said Smith.

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Guest speaker Smith County Constable and Reverend Ralph Caraway, Jr., shared his message “I am history because I can be nothing but great.”

“Whatever you put your mind to, first of all, if you can change your mindset and have a positive mindset and then whatever you touch with those hands and that great mind, you can affect change throughout this world,” said Caraway.

Caraway said Black History Month should be important to everyone not just African Americans.

“My prayer is that even as we see what black history has done to our world, that we embrace it and allow everybody to understand is not just black history is our history,” said Caraway.

Chapple said Caraway’s speech stood out to her and she hopes other students can take away the message.

“It should all be equal, we should all be treated the same,” said Chapple.

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