District highlights Black Excellence showcase, Women's History Month activities and Lafayette girls wrestling state title

Fayette County Public Schools staff delivered a monthly report from the Office of Unity, Belonging and Student Efficacy that included highlights from Women's History Month, a Black Excellence visual and performing-arts showcase and recognition of Lafayette High School's girls wrestling team for a state championship.

Dr. Serena Matthews, chief for unity, belonging and student efficacy, said the office honored women of color with a recognition event that celebrated 43 attendees whose combined years of service totaled 1,889 years. The presentation included photos, certificates and purple corsages for honorees.

Matthews described the third annual Black Excellence Visual and Performing Arts Showcase, hosted at Bryan Station High School, which included 16 on-stage performances, 58 student visual-art submissions and cash prizes paid to top high-school winners (first place $500, second $250 and third $125) made possible by a community partner chapter of Omega Psi Phi.

Sophomore Lily Fields, a student performer, described the experience of participating in the showcase and meeting other young musicians. "It was amazing... once I was up there and I started playing on piano, all worries just melted away," she said of performing.

Matthews also announced Lafayette High School's girls wrestling team as state champions, calling it the first team in 60 years from the city to win a state wrestling title. A community partner pledged to sponsor championship rings for the athletes; staff asked athletes for ring sizes before leaving the meeting.

The board accepted the report as information; no action was taken.