St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School

“Ella Fitzgerald”
By: Keyannia Whitlow

I chose Ella Fitzgerald because I love jazz and she sang jazz.

Ella Fitzgerald was born in 1918 in Newport News, Virginia. In those days, music was very popular in parts of the nation. When Ella was just a young girl, her mother and Ella moved to Yonkers, New York. In the 1920s, Harlem, a neighborhood in New York, was important for African Americans. Ella’s mother encouraged her to take dancing and singing lessons so she could compete in many amateur contests.

When she was 16 years old, she went to an audition for a job with the Chick Webb Band. She got the job and in a few years she became the lead singer. In 1938 she had her first hit record. Girls started to imitate her unique voice. Ella was one of the first singers to popularize “scat” singing. She had dozens of hit records.

She changed the music we know forever as jazz. Ella Fitzgerald died in 1996.

“Jesse Owens”
By: Megan Cooper

I chose Jesse Owens because he was a hard-working man and never gave up.

He was born in 1913 in Alabama. James Cleveland Owens was his real name. Jesse Owens ran track when he was young. James’ nickname was Jesse because of his initials, J.C. As a young boy, Jesse did hard work – work like picking cotton in the cotton field.

He also had time to play. Jesse always dreamed of being a very fast runner. He never gave up and he kept on trying until it was right. Jesse was a very good athlete. His good grades helped him her a scholarship in Ohio to the State University.

Once he was running and hurt his leg really bad. He could not run for months, but when he got well he got back up and got back on the track.

Jesse Owens died in 1980. Since his death, he inspired many blacks to run in the Olympics and in track. He will still be remembered for years to come.

In honor of Black History Month, Donna Barkey’s 5th and 6th grade class would like to share some of their writing assignments about heroes who have shaped American history. We’ll post additional short essays throughout this week.

“Harriet Tubman”
By: Madison Frost

I chose Harriet Tubman because she helped to free slaves in the South no matter what would happen to her if she was caught.

Harriet Tubman was born in 1821. She was often beaten for refusing to be a slave in the South. Once she was hit in the head and suffered dizzy spells the rest of her life. After she fled to Philadelphia she became a conductor of the Underground Railroad.

Harriet Tubman took about 19 trips into the South and helped about 300 blacks to freedom. In 1857 she helped her parents to freedom.

Finally Harriet Tubman used the proceeds from her biography to open the Harriet Tubman Home for the poor and elderly blacks. In 1913 Harriet Tubman died.