Tyrunn Walker, Westgate High grad who plays for the New Orleans Saints, signs his autograph on the arm of AMS student Ernest Dejean on Thursday.

Anderson Middle School celebrated Black History Month by honoring black inventors and hosting school alumnus Tyrunn Walker, who earned a spot in the National Football League with the New Orleans Saints.

Principal James Russell III said the annual end-of-the-month program is always led by students, who do a majority of the presenting. Thursday’s event included band, chorus and dance class performances, a poetry reciting and a skit about black inventors.

Although most Americans are familiar with prominent names like Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks and George Washington Carver, some such as Thomas Elkins, who invented the refrigerator, may not be recognized. Russell said that is why the event is important and impactful for not only the students, but for parents and other guests.

“Some of the information that is presented you may not realize that African Americans had a hand in inventing, everyday household items, everyday inventions and things,” he said.

Russell said he thinks the annual program enlightens students to understand what Black History is about.

He said he hopes the event encourages students to discover who they want to be.

“It’s about finding yourself, finding who you are and finding your niche, while making sure that whatever attributes you have you put them to good use for the good of all,” he said.

Walker, 22, the guest speaker for the event, did just that. The defensive tackle played football at Anderson Middle School, Westgate High School and Jones County Junior College in Mississippi before transferring to the University of Tulsa. Walker just completed his rookie season in the NFL.

“I thought how wonderful it was that we have a professional athlete to represent New Iberia in the NFL,” he said.

Russell said he believes Walker is the first athlete who attended Anderson Middle to make it to the NFL. He said there have been other local athletes play in the NFL, but having Walker attend the school made the event special.

“There’s not much of an age difference between he and the kids and we thought that he would be able to relate to them a little bit better because there is not much of a generational gap,” he said. “He did an exceptional job, and I think his message was well received by our student body.”

Walker told students that earning an education is important, no matter what their passion may be. He said an education is the first step to accomplishing anything.

“There’s so many opportunities you can have when you earn an education,” he said.

Walker said he enjoys giving back to the community.

“It’s great to come back here and help out some of these kids, make sure they’re doing good and staying on their Ps and Qs,” Walker said. “It felt great to be here and do this for these kids.”