These members of Como’s Pan African Student Union presented original works to students and parents on Feb. 12 for the National African American Parent Involvement Day assembly in the auditorium.
Pan-African Student Union presents poetry, music and more
Como’s Pan-African Student Union sponsored and produced an assembly for students and parents as part of National African American Parent Involvement Day (NAAPID) Feb. 12. Spoken word performances, poetry readings, music from the orchestra and choir, along with guest speakers and recognition of parents in attendance made for an impactful event.
Student performers included Yasin Abdullahi, Robert Adams, Malique McCoy, Madyson Sklar, Najma Ali, Hawi Ali, Farhiya Mohamed, Shukri Abdullahi, Sucdi Jama, Bernadette Kargbo and Asha Hassan.
Como students take part in Super Bowl festivities
Super Bowl festivities in the Twin Cities presented Como students with unique opportunities and experiences.
The Como Culinary Club cooked with top chefs in the “Taste of the NFL” at St. Paul RiverCentre during Super Bowl weekend in January. Each Como student was paired with an executive chef from one of the NFL cities, helping prepare and serve the foods representative of the respective teams’ region. Como students earned high praise, according to Courtney Gbolo, who teaches Family and Consumer Science and leads the culinary club. Chefs and event organizers were impressed by the skill, strong work ethic and attitude of the Como’s club members.
Como football players and coaches met NFL commissioner Roger Godell, Pro Football Hall of Famers Justice Alan Page and “Mean Joe” Greene, and ESPN commentator Steven Smith, and heard words of wisdom from Vikings quarterback Case Keenum and other dignitaries at the NFL’s Salute to Excellence Awards. The Cougars also participated in on-field activities at the NFL Live Experience in Minneapolis.
The NFL sponsored a student assembly in the Como auditorium Feb. 1, featuring Reggie Dabbs, who spoke about resiliency and having a “never-give-up” attitude. Dabbs used personal anecdotes, music and humor and students laughed, sang and listened and had the opportunity to meet and take photos with Dabbs.
WorldQuest teams place in top 10
Two four-student Como teams participated in Global Minnesota’s annual Academic WorldQuest competition at the University of Minnesota Feb. 7. For the second consecutive year, both Como teams placed in the top 10 out of 40 teams from across the state.
The team of seniors with Dominic Wolters, Jackson Kerr, Gabriel Reynolds and Stephen Boler finished in fourth place. The team of juniors with Celia Olson, Nora Ellingsen, Isaac Harker and Henry Hansen finished eighth. The competition’s quiz-bowl format featured questions about global affairs and U.S. foreign policy. The event was emceed by KARE 11 news reporter Karla Hult.
History Day projects advance to regionals
Como juniors advancing to the St. Paul History Day regional competition include the following: Asia Faulk, DaVonna Jones and Isabelle Hoppe for the group exhibit “Bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki”; Naw Sei, Roa Lay and Ray Boe for the group exhibit “Chinese Exclusion Act”; Caitlin Jones and Nyah Davis for the group exhibit “Integration of College Basketball”; Aye Win and Eh Soh for the group exhibit “Emancipation Proclamation”; Kayla Selbitschka for the individual exhibit “Hela Cells”; Emma Mueller for the individual exhibit “The Lavender Scare”; David Amobi, Trinh Nguyen and Pany Thor for the website “Kent State Massacre”; William Farley, Kao Nou Lee and Lee Thao for the website “Secret War in Laos”; Maria Chiaramonti for the website, “Alan Turing”; Cadence Paramore for the research paper “Treaty of Mendota”; Hundaol Deressa for the research paper “Battle of Adwa”; and Jenny Vue for the research paper “The Secret War in Laos.”
Fundraiser at Urban Growler
The Como Park Booster Club is hosting its annual Urban Growler Fundraiser on Sunday, March 11, from 4 to 8 p.m. The event is a festive get-together to support Como and socialize.
Funds raised support extracurricular activities for Como students. For more information, tickets or volunteering opportunities, contact Ann Commers at acommers@msn.com or the comoparkboosterclub@gmail.com.
