Community members, South High staff and students had a special lunch Thursday at South High’s annual Black History Month Luncheon.

On the menu was a line up of soul food options consisting of fried chicken, collard greens, corn bread, black eyed peas and so much more.

“Soul food is a big part of our heritage and tradition here, and there is no better way to show love than by breaking bread with one another,” said Staci Wright, co-adviser of South High’s Black Student Union, the club that organized the luncheon.

The school’s Black Student Union has been hosting the luncheon for 25 years as a way to raise money for scholarships for South High students. Students must apply for the scholarships, and the recipients are announced at the end of school year.

This year, South High staff and community members help prepare the home-cooked meal for the luncheon.

Staci Wright, South High’s Black Student Union co-adviser

“That’s where the love is,” said Wright, a 1993 South High graduate. “If we can share that with community members, staff and students, then we have done our job.”

Community members attending the annual event included Kern High board trustees, former and current South High staff and many more.

“I think (the luncheon) is important because we are connecting with our community as a whole and bringing our community in to see what we do as a club,” said senior Camarie Patrick-Boone, the co-president of the Black Student Union.

The event doesn’t just connect the community, but it also raises awareness to Black History Month.

“I think it’s important because it creates awareness for our culture, and it’s not only for African Americans,” said senior Keisha Lee Daniel, co-president of the club. “It can be other ethnic races. We want to be inclusive instead of exclusive.”