Mendota Celebrates Black History Month with Motown Student Performances

First-year Mendota Community School principal Vicky Hamilton understands the impact Motown music has had in the Black community and popular culture. That’s why, beginning several years ago in Beloit and continuing this year at Mendota, she organizes a school-wide celebration of Motown on the last day of Black History Month.

Scholars of every grade level stage choreographed performances of songs of their choice. “I like to do it on the 28th, because that way, everyone has all of February to practice and prepare,” said Hamilton. “From 4K through fifth grade, all of the kids come together and work as teams. The end result is a routine that they’ve put together themselves.”

The hour-long event, which took place in the gymnasium and was open to Mendota families, saw the scholars incorporating various props and costume choices across each of the grade levels. A rendition of Gladys Knight & the Pips’ “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” had the school’s second-graders dressed as the California Raisins, while the fifth-graders’ run-through of Rose Royce’s “Car Wash” featured cardboard vehicles and mitter curtains made of streamers.

It’s difficult to overstate the impact that Motown Records—the Detroit-based, Black-owned record label responsible for some of the greatest music of the 20th century—has had on popular culture since its founding in 1958. Motown artists like Marvin Gaye, the Commodores, and the Supremes have provided the soundtrack to countless lives, here in America and abroad, and their songs continue to bring light and joy into the world, regardless of when they were recorded.

Undoubtedly, one of Motown’s most lasting and obvious contributions to the world has been its music’s unifying power. During the Civil Rights Movement, the label gave African-American musicians a platform from which they could reach the ears and hearts of the people, facilitating a path to radio, television, and ultimately, the cars, workplaces, and living rooms of millions across the nation.

Following an intermission that included a group-dance to Ike & Tina Turner’s version of “Proud Mary”—the energy of which made it the perfect choice for a movement break—Hamilton took a moment to honor parent liaison Ebony McKinley with the Team Player Award, handing her a trophy and certificate and telling the crowd how much McKinley means to the entirety of the Mendota community.

“In a lot of ways, Miss McKinley is our school mom,” said Hamilton. “She takes care of everybody. If you're having a bad day, she’s there to help. If you need someone to talk to or just a little guidance, she’ll take you under her wing and get you through the day. She keeps all of our scholars motivated, makes them feel special, and reminds them that not only does she want them to be here, they need to be here. Everyone throughout the school has the utmost respect for Miss McKinley and is so grateful for all that she does.”

Hamilton anticipates the celebration will grow in coming years, as both scholars and staff understand the work it entails. But scholars and the Mendota community are taking away much more than Motown vibes. “The lessons in listening, team-building, and instruction-following that the scholars learn along the way will benefit them far beyond the event itself,” said Hamilton.