The Brave News

by Noah Dawson

St. John Bosco High School, nestled in the heart of the Los Angeles metropolitan area, is known for its academic excellence and thriving student community. This year, the school hosted its first annual cookout for hosted by the school’s Black Student Union (BSU), providing a space for students to connect with one another and celebrate their community.

As students poured into the sprawling campus, they were met with the mouthwatering aroma of all sorts of delicious treats. The event featured a wide range of activities, including games, music and dancing.

One of the most popular activities was the basketball tournament, which pitted students against each other in fierce competition on the school’s outdoor courts. There were also a variety of board games and card games for those who preferred to keep things a little more low-key.

Throughout the day, the air was filled with the sounds of laughter and music, as students of all ages came together to celebrate back heritage. The event provided a space for students to connect with each other and build new friendships, strengthening the bonds that make the Bosco community so special.

For many students, the cookout was a chance to connect with other Black students in a way that they had never been able to before. It provided a sense of belonging and community that is sometimes difficult to find in a school with so much diversity.

“This was a great opportunity for us to come together and celebrate our culture,” said senior Ahrian McNeil. “It’s important to have spaces like this where we can just be ourselves and feel comfortable.”

Even students from other schools felt the impact of the event.

“I go to St. Mary’s, but I came here with a friend, and I’m so glad I did,” says St. Mary’s senior Dallas Oliver. “It’s great to see so many people from different schools coming together like this.”

In a world that is often divided by race, ethnicity and culture, events like the BSU Cookout are more essential than ever. They provide a space for Black students to come together and celebrate their culture, building a sense of community that is essential for success. Senior Austin Hughes, the secretary of the BSU, was beaming with pride.

“It was cool seeing people from my community come together in one place to appreciate our culture through music and conversation,” Austin said.

The event ended with an announcement from the BSU president, inviting everyone to a movie night coming up in March at the St. Joseph’s Flynn Center. The BSU had selected a classic film that celebrated the black experience, Spike Lee’s Do the Right Thing, and the event promises to be a great way to continue the celebration of black excellence and culture.

As students made their way home, tired but happy after a long day of fun, they couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride in their community. The first annual BSU Cookout had been a resounding success, and everyone was looking forward to the next one.

When the sun set, there was a palpable sense of possibility for the prosperity of the African-American student body in the air. The future was looking bright, and everyone was excited to see where this new tradition would lead.