It’s Black History Month and the African Student Association will be hosting their second African Ball on Saturday, February 24 from 6pm to 11pm in the main gym.

This year’s ball will be co-hosted with Clarksburg High School. Tickets are being sold all week for $15 at STEP in the mixing bowl. ASA sponsor Temidayo Adia is also selling tickets. The last day for ticket sales will be tomorrow, February 23, so buy your ticket before it’s too late.

“You don’t have to be African to come,” senior ASA president Megan Dakwa said. “It’s going to be a good time just seeing our culture being [spread to others].” Everyone is welcome to enjoy the event.

The night will start off with dinner with foods originating from different parts of Africa, which will be provided by a catering company. The food will range from jerk chicken and meat pie to jollof rice, fried plantains and sweets.

“The ball was very nice last year,” senior ASA vice president Heaven Atta said. “It was a success, but it’s going to be ten times better this year.”

This year’s ball will also include a Mr. and Ms. ASA portion. Two boys and two girls from Watkins Mill and two boys and two girls from Clarksburg will compete against each other in talent, trivia and best dress categories. In the end, four student judges will decide who gets to take home the title of Mr. and Ms. ASA.

Dance teams from both schools will be performing during the ball. The girls of Watkins Mill’s African dance team have worked hard in coming up with the dances in practice and are ready to show off their talent.

After the food and Mr. and Ms. ASA competition, the event will end with a dance party. A wide variety of music will be played by a live DJ. “I’m looking forward to everybody dressing up in their African attire and for a fun time for everybody,” senior global awareness leader Liam Thomas said.