To kick off the 100th year of Black History Month, Normal West’s Black Student Union is set to host their annual assembly, on Friday, Feb. 20.

For BSU Treasurer Auriah Blanks, this year’s assembly is about both education and fun.

The sophomore leader said the goal is to make Black history engaging for the entire student body.

“The goal is to educate, but also have fun,” Blanks said. “History is for everybody. It’s not just for one group of people.”

This year’s assembly will center heavily around music, highlighting its importance in Black culture.

One of the major collaborative moments will be a performance of “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” often referred to as the Black National Anthem.

According to BSU advisor Jen Hamler, the song will be performed by the choir alongside BSU members, emphasizing unity and shared experience.

Hamler said she hopes students walk away feeling more connected to the school community.

“I hope they just have fun, and they love coming to school and getting school spirit,” Hamler said.

Together, the student leadership and advisors designed the assembly to create culture while strengthening school spirit.

The assembly will feature a mix of performances, games, and student recognition (winter sports).

Blanks shared that one of the main highlights will be a music-guessing game, where students participate by identifying songs connected to Black artists and history.

BSU members have been organizing volunteers in the atrium to help the games run smoothly.

In addition to the choir performance, this year’s assembly will introduce a new feature: members of the Divine Nine – historically Black sororities and fraternities – are expected to attend and perform a traditional stroll.

Hamler explained that coordinating performances, connecting groups, scripting the program, and creating back up plans have all been part of months of preparation.

The assembly will also include recognition of winter sports teams, continuing Normal West’s tradition of celebrating student achievement alongside cultural programming.

The BSU board has been organizing this assembly since December 2025.

“There’s a lot of planning that goes into it behind the scenes, but I think that’s what will make it run really smoothly,” Blanks shared.

Hamler also detailed how the group has to get every game and event approved by Codron, which is another reason why the planning is so time-consuming.

As the BSU sponsor, one of Hamler’s favorite aspects of the job is seeing high school students “get their stuff together” and do the work they set out to accomplish.

“We get to show off our culture in a fun, cultivating way. I think this is a great way to also get ourselves out there, get more members, and show that our club is about community and having fun and making friends,” Blanks said.

“I hope [students] just have fun, and feel a connection to Normal West–get school spirit,” Hamler added.

The club is excited to welcome the West student body and show off what they have prepared.