Darla Miller is ecstatic about her role in the play “From Attucks Eagles to Hollywood Hills Spartans.” The performance recollects the integration process at Hollywood Hills High School as told by the 1972 Club and graduates from the early 1970s. There will be a singular showing on May 3rd at 6:00 p.m. in the Hollywood Hills High School Theater.
“I am playing the role of a non-racist cheerleader named Jenny. We are showing the struggles and conflicts people faced during the integration of the school,” said Miller.
According to Sara Pierce, a co-director of “From Attucks Eagles to Hollywood Hills Spartans”, the play is based on interviews with Hollywood Hills alumni from the early 1970s. During this period, students from Attucks High School, an African-America High School, were integrated into Hollywood Hills High. It was not an easy transition.
The Attucks students were taken from an environment where they felt safe and comfortable and placed in an incredibly tense situation. While some prospered in leadership positions at Attucks, they struggled to fit in at Hollywood Hills. Tensions were high and some conflicts arose among the students.
Many of the alumni recollect their struggles, but also reflect on how they overcame the odds and went on to successful careers. Some of the transferred students even returned to Hollywood Hills High School years later and were honored at a football game. While they faced adversary and discrimination during the integration process, they remain proud to have graduated from Hollywood Hills.
They overcame great challenges as young students, and many continued their education, going on to earn college and graduate degrees and achieve success as adults.
Another cast member, Gabrielle Almonte, is playing the role of a racist cheerleader. “I have to portray the attitude of a racist girl. So much has changed since then,” she said.
Attucks is no longer a high school, but there is an Attucks Middle School which is very successful.