Discovery students Iman Gadalla, at left, and Annika Gomez, at right, join art teacher Raquel Spiegel in showing their black history art awards. (CONTRIBUTED)

MADISON – Art teacher Raquel Spiegel and students Iman Gadalla and Annika Gomez at Discovery Middle School have received black history awards.

Rosie’s International Services Inc., a 501 (c)3 non-profit organization, sponsored the Black History Enrichment and Enlightenment Festival “to bring awareness and understanding of the African-American culture to our youth and the community,” organization president Rosie Douglas said.

Rosie’s named Spiegel as Black History Art Teacher of the Year. Gadalla and Gomez were among 20 local students receiving an award for Black History Artist of the Year.

“Rosie’s is all about diversity, bringing people of all races together and sharing the their culture,” Douglas said.

Spiegel was selected based on her excellence in the field of art. “She was awarded for the amount of art students and their outstanding artist abilities in our art outreach contest,” Douglas said.

Spiegel’s art students at Discovery consistently earn honors for first place in contests and events, especially in Redstone Arsenal functions.

“Rosie’s International Services commends Mrs. Spiegel on her professionalism and dedication to the arts and to her students,” Douglas said. “We are deeply honored for her services to Discovery Middle School and to the community.”

Spiegel said Discovery has an “art outreach program that fosters an opportunity for students to develop an increased awareness about cultural diversity and inclusion. We started this program to give the students a chance to express their love for different cultures through art.”

Spiegel, Gadalla and Gomez received their awards during the festival at Columbia High School in Huntsville on Feb. 22. Saxophonist Dr. Reginald Jackson, the Boys & Girls Club Choir, African drummers and Neema Performing Arts entertained the guests.

For more information, call 256-429-8039 or email to rosdougl@hotmail.com.