Academic distinction and the arts will be celebrated by the Rochester Board of Education on Thursday, Feb. 28. The Board’s culminating observance of Black History Month will take place from 5 to 6:30 p.m., during which several students will be honored for academic excellence and a number of school groups will perform. Garth Fagan, founder and artistic director of the award-winning and internationally acclaimed Garth Fagan Dance, is this year’s community honoree.

School of the Arts student Timothy Mitchum will perform during the Board’s monthly Business Meeting, which begins at 6:30 p.m., and the Board is expected to name March 15 as “Timothy Mitchum Day” in the District. The 15-year-old recently performed “Let It Be” from his role in the film “Across the Universe” at the Grammy Awards and appeared on the Ellen DeGeneres Show.

“This is going to be a very special evening as we celebrate our students, our community, and our heritage,” said Board President Malik Evans. The Board hosted three additional events this year in recognition of Black History Month.

The reception for Black History Month will be held from 5:00 to 5:30 p.m. with the program beginning at 5:30 p.m. and featuring performances by the School 41 Step Team, a musical performance by students from School 19, a tribute to Frederick Douglass by School 12, and Elias Knox from School 16 performing “Happy Birthday” by Stevie Wonder.

The following students will be recognized for their academic achievement: Octavia Rhim, BioScience & Health Careers High School at Franklin; Terrell McGuire, Business Finance & Entrepreneurship High School at Edison; Denzel Huffman, Imaging and Information Technology at Edison; Lena Budd and Keara Coakley, Monroe High School; Sharese King and Allen Williams, School of the Arts; and Sharnita Lovette, Brayana Dudley, Myles Mack-Mercer, Ian Scott and Yazzmynn Wilson, Wilson Commencement Academy. All of the honorees have a 4.0 grade point average or above. In addition, Miss Wilson will receive the overall academic award.

The Board’s Business Meeting will begin following recognition of Mr. Fagan’s achievements. All events will be held in the Third Floor Conference Room of Central Office, 131 W. Broad Street. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend.