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Booker High School in Sarasota will host several events during Black History Month in February to celebrate local African-American heritage and the history of the school, the Sarasota County Schools has announced. "With the 100th anniversary of Newtown, this is an especially important year to focus on local black history," said Booker High School Principal Rachel Shelley in a news release. "We are excited to be at the epicenter of the cultural awareness of the struggles and accomplishments of our African-American community. These local heroes and 'she- roes' have paved the way for the freedom and equality we enjoy today." Booker will host two events on campus for its students that also will be open to the community, the release notes. The first will be a one-hour panel discussion highlighting Sarasota's black history. It will be offered at 9:15 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 19, in the Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) Theatre. The pro- gram will include "local individuals who have played important roles in education, integra- tion and civic engagement," the release says. Booker will close out its events for Black History Month with a one-hour Celebration of African-American History through the Arts at 10 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 21, in the VPA Theatre, the release adds. This program will include presentations by the VPA Department and the Booker Gospel Choir Club. Community members may RSVP for the pub- lic events or schedule a tour of the Booker High School Historical Room by calling Assistant Principal Tricia Allen at 355-2967, Ext. 65024, or via email at trish.allen@saraso- tacountyschools.net. Booker High School is located at 3201 N. Orange Ave. in Sarasota. BOOKER HIGH SCHOOL OBSERVING BLACK HISTORY MONTH The Historical Room at Booker High School celebrates the rich history of the school, the community of Newtown and the contributions of African-Americans to Sarasota. Contributed photo Sarasota News Leader February 14, 2014 Page 79