Booker nation brings a tornado celebration

These tornadoes made landfall and stormed through with Booker pride.

Emma E. Booker, Booker Middle and Booker High School joined together to celebrate their initial year of Bookerfest Feb. 4 at Booker Middle.

What started with an idea of a music festival turned into something much bigger.

"We got the three Booker music teachers together and we all said, ‘Hey, let’s involve all of the arts,’” said Bookerfest co-coordinator Carlos Silva. “We started talking about this last year. This year, we started formally planning.”

Students, teachers and community members were invited to experience and watch Booker’s Visual Performing Arts students showcase their talents along with learning about the history behind the Booker schools.

“The most special thing about being at Booker are the opportunities,” said Booker High  student Anna Alarcon. “The AICE program and VPA program prepares you to professionally go into music and college.”

Students giggled with friends and danced at the courtyard with a slice of pizza in hand and radiated the joy and honor of being a tornado.

“It’s a family — that’s the main thing,” said Booker High student Tristan Tran. “We are all open to each other. We are all friends.”