West Side High School’s dance community, which includes the WSHS Cheerleading Squad, the Royal Elite Dance Company, the Speedway Majorettes, the Ravishing Roughriders, and the Major Heat will join together to continue the High School’s month-long celebration of Black History Month.  “Dance 2 Protect the unHOUSEd” is sponsored by The Partnership for West Side High School and co-sponsored by The West Side High School Alumni Association and My Brother’s Keeper Newark.  

The event will take place on Wednesday, February 26th, at 5:30 p.m. in the West Side High School Auditorium and is open to the Newark community. Upon entry to the event, all attendees will be asked to donate household items such as deodorant, soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and sanitary products for admittance, which will be provided to Newark homes in need.  

“West Side High School has long been a focal point for the Newark community, and Wednesday night’s dance recital once again shows the school’s strong commitment to our city,” stated Rasheen Peppers, Chief Executive Officer of The Partnership for West Side High School.  “The talent of West Side High School students will be on full display.  We can’t wait to celebrate each of the performers, and we thank all the students involved for making this neighborhood event happen and helping us close out an eventful Black History Month.  What should not go unnoticed is that this event is far more than a celebration. It is also an opportunity to give back and help families in need.  We are so proud to be the sponsors for this great event.  Whether providing turkeys during Thanksgiving, evergreen trees during Christmas, building off-campus work-study programs, or hosting specific events and trips for Newark students and parents, the Partnership is committed to serving and helping all our families in Newark.  We hope the community will join the celebration and will please bring a donation of household items.”

Launching with the mission to “champion educational equity in Newark by supporting and celebrating the rich history of West Side High School” and focusing on Academic Excellence, College Readiness, Workforce Readiness, and Climate and Culture, the Partnership for West Side High School provides the Newark public high school with an ongoing and independent anchor of institutional of support.  The nonprofit was designed to ensure the School’s unique value proposition and promise are broadly shared throughout the City, support greater long-term awareness so more Newark families fully utilize the school’s resources, and build innovative opportunities for West Side scholars by building work-study collaborations between the school and local businesses, higher education institutions, and diverse workforce domains.