African Student Association hosts fourth annual African Ball

Shannon Bratt-Pfotenhauer and Melody Safo|February 24, 2020

Clarksburg High School junior Makaylah Bangura answers a question for the Q&A portion of the Ms. ASA competition.

The Watkins Mill High School African Student Association collaborated with the Clarksburg High School ASA to host the fourth annual African Ball on Saturday, February 22, from 7pm to 11pm.

The Ball is an African cultural celebration to honor Black History Month, including performances of African dance, slam poetry, singing, and a competition in which a Mr. and Mrs. ASA are chosen, as well as a slideshow demonstrating major events in the African community this past year.

“[Whether you’re] black, white, [or another ethnicity], it doesn’t matter, anyone can come together to celebrate African history and have fun,” junior ASA co-vice president Afia Obeng said.

The ASA began organizing the African Ball in September with their sponsor, biology teacher Taiwo Okusaga, to put together a night of fun, culture, and entertainment. “Many people have the feeling that it’s just for Africans because it’s called the African Ball,” Okusaga said. “[But] maybe we could have a different name for it next time because if I wasn’t African, I would hesitate to go too.”

Between Watkins Mill and Clarksburg, 250 tickets were sold, each costing $20. “We feel like there’s this one story that’s always portrayed by the media when you think of Africa, which is poverty and sickness,” junior ASA co-vice president Comfort Oshagbemi, said. “We want people to know there’s more to Africa.”

“My favorite part of the African Ball was being able to host it and make jokes with the people and enjoy my time,” junior Baebaa Sayeh said. “The African Ball really brings out another side of culture at Watkins Mill and it really [gives people the chance] to embrace where they’re from and be proud of it.”

Clarksburg juniors Eastwood Yeboah and Daesha Mckorley were crowned Mr. and Mrs. ASA for the evening.

“Seeing all of the talents that our classmates and other people had [was the best part of the African Ball],” junior Chiamaka Nwankwo said. “It’s important to spread the different cultures, especially in Africa because not all of them are the same. Everyone believes that Africa is one whole country when really it’s a continent with many different cultures and many different countries.”

“The best part was the Watkins Mill ASA team… They basically set the mood of the atmosphere and made everyone want to dance,” junior Josephine Koffia Aka said. “We are a pretty diverse school with a lot of African countries amended in one school, and to be recognized makes us feel honored.”

“Most people said this was the best one we had, so if that’s the case [then] I hope next year is the same thing [or even better],” Koffia Aka added.