February stands for more than just candy hearts and flowers, it means history and heritage. To a group on campus called the Center for Multicultural Education, February is a month to spread knowledge about black history.    Since November a group of students and faculty have been getting together to plan Black History Month. Led by staff member Tay Triggs the CME and its dedicated group of interns have come together to organize events that in their hopes, will inform and educate students at Missouri   Western about African American culture.   Helping Triggs are four interns: Emily Feger, Mark Gomez, Ivory Duncan and Pam Covarrubias. Covarrubias is a first-year intern who was put in charge of planning the Black Heritage Ball as well as other Black History Month events planned by the CME. Since November, Covarrubias and the other three interns, along with several other clubs and organizations have come together to plan and organize these events. The ball held on Feb. 2 hosted many activities exploring black history and culture. Kicking off the evening was a meet and greet put in place to give students an opportunity to interact with faculty and alumni. Following the meet and greet was a dinner, which was made up of ìsoul foods.î The dinner was the only part of the evening that cost the students money.    Opening students up to other cultures and different races is one of the CME staffs number one priorities. ì I want people to realize that being different is okay. I want people to know how it is and what it means,î Covarrubias said.     This February will be filled with many other events to help celebrate Black History Month. Along with the ball there will be a movie showing, as well as a guest poet.   The movie being shown is Blood Diamond, a story about the blood diamond ring in Sierra Leone. The movie is to help show students what the people of Sierra Leone go through so that individuals can wear diamond jewelry.   Aside from the movie there is a poet called Black Ice coming to speak and recite poetry to students. The students involved with the organizations planning these events are very excited about Black Ice.    Each of these activities offer students a good insight into what Black History month really means. One activity that couldnít get booked for February but is coming in early March is Step Afrika. Step Afrika is a group that will come and give the history of greek dancing and step. Other events in the past similar to this have had a good impact on students and has also helped raise awareness for the CME.   All of this hard work has the CME interns very eager for the this monthís events. With every event the CME plans there is always something to be learned, which is part of the growing process for the interns. Events like the Black Heritage Ball have already left the CME ready and prepared for next yearís planning, knowing what to do better and what not to do at all.  .