by Mackenzie Lionberger
The Paducah Sun
February 27, 2026
Used with permission.
The seventh annual Black History Month Celebration at Paducah Tilghman High School celebrates Black History Month through education and community. The celebration was presented by the African American Leadership Club.
The theme of this year’s program was “Unity in the Community,” with the goal of educating the audience about prominent African American figures.
“What that looks like for an opportunity to celebrate the African American Leadership Club is having all of our students and a lot of our community participating in just that,” Director of Student Services for Paducah Public Schools, Shonda Hollowell, said.
The program featured performances from various schools in the county. The theme of Friday night’s presentation was emphasized through a variation of songs, dance and trivia. Different students in the club recited facts about African American figures in history, asking the audience to guess who each was. It was also an opportunity for the community to learn more about Black culture and traditions.
“Learning about all these things that I never learned in school before, and even though it’s not my culture, it is still American history,” Elliott Bidwell, a sophomore and member of the club, said.
The students began preparing for the event in October of this current school year. Club President Ava Thomas said that the club and the celebration are important for the community and students.
“I hope they see something they want to be a part of, if not a part of, learn about,” Thomas said. She said that the club is more than just being part of a group; it’s also an opportunity to learn more about her culture.
For Hollowell, a Paducah Tilghman High School alumna, the Black History Month celebration is more than an event; it is an opportunity to help students.
“To help them to know what that unity looks like, what excellence looks like, what pride looks like as well,” Hollowell said.