As Black History Month was drawing to a close last week, the Central Elementary Sensational Spartan Show Choir and Steppers acknowledged the past and empowered and inspired the future with a rousing program titled “A Journey to Success.”

The young students demonstrated musical and movement aptitude to a packed house Wednesday.

The program noted the challenges faced by African-Americans and the struggles of the civil rights era, including a short skit on the Rosa Parks bus incident that ended with the statement, “We’re here to sit with you, Rosa Parks.”

But while it noted hard times, the overwhelming message was one of strength and positivity.

The journey started with a prayer and a welcome, followed by a stage full of steppers moving to a strong, earthy beat in an African Drum Dance.

Then students led a group recitation, “Still I Rise,” about overcoming adversity. Later recitations included one that encouraged everyone to “Dream” and to take action to make their dreams come true.

The songs further empowered, inspired and guided. The audience was urged, musically, to “Believe in Miracles.” It was reminded that, “That’s the Way God Planned It” and that the first step belonged to “The Man in the Mirror.”

The program acknowledged the past, noted the struggle, celebrated the people rising to overcome adversity, reminded those in attendance that everybody has the power and the duty to soar, and energized the mission.

The journey ended with a high-energy rendition of “Roar,” in which the performers on stage were joined by other music students throughout the audience.

Roar!

I used to bite my tongue and hold my breath

Scared to rock the boat and make a mess

You held me down, but I got up

Already brushing off the dust

You hear my voice, your hear that sound

Like thunder, gonna shake the ground

You held me down, but I got up

Get ready ‘cause I had enough

I see it all, I see it now. I got the eye of the tiger,

A fighter dancing through the fire

‘Cause I am a champion, and you’re gonna hear me roar

Louder, louder than a lion

‘Cause I am a champion, and you’re gonna hear me roar!

Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh, You’re gonna hear me roar!