From tight slicked-back ponytails to braids decorated with beads, butterfly clips, and barrettes, the Black Student Union (BSU) celebrated its annual Spirit Week with its first-ever Haircare Day. Students came to school with their hair done in their childhood hairstyles and learned about haircare and its history. 

BSU co-presidents visual senior Taniyah Aris and digital media senior Tyson Jimerson taught students about the culture of their hair by giving information about hair types, styles, products, and more on Feb. 12. The meeting took place during lunch in BSU co-sponsor and English teacher Moriah Carlisle’s room (3-104). To dance sophomore Cyn’Nierria Blackshear, recreating hairstyles that were once “childish and fun” now felt “stylish and nostalgic.”

“My favorite thing about my old hairstyles would be how my mom would decorate my hair with bows,” Blackshear said. “It was so cute.” 

Aris and Jimerson created a mini-game of  “Guess the BSU Officer’s Baby Picture” during the presentation. The BSU co-presidents put up photos of the officers on the slideshow with only a fraction of their faces showing. Whoever raised their hand first would take a guess at who was in the photo. If they were correct, they won a hair pick comb, a type of comb that is flat and square-shaped with long and hard teeth to lift and add volume to the hair, typically used to style curly or textured hair. Many students used accessories while wearing their hair out, in plaits, in slick-back puffs, or in ponytails.

“I used to use barrettes and beads to decorate my hair (when I was younger),” Aris said. “The way I would describe my hairstyles growing up would be versatile. Now, as a senior, it would be colorful.” 

After the slideshow, Aris and Jimerson hosted a “Black Hairstyles Jeopardy.” BSU members in attendance were broken up into three teams to compete against each other to answer questions about Black hair history, styles, facts, and protection. 

“(This event and thinking about) the hairstyles I had growing up brought back memories of me getting a fresh lineup before family gatherings and feeling sharp when I walked through the door,” vocal junior Daniel Jones said.