Cayo students jumpstart Independence Day festivities with a parade
Today, students of schools in every district got a jumpstart on Independence Day festivities, with displays of patriotism and pride in full effect. The students’ parade and rallies to bring in independence have become a tradition, a colorful and vibrant one. Today Mike Rudon was in San Ignacio where students showed their colors for the world to see. Here’s the story.
Mike Rudon, Reporting
This morning primary and secondary school students in San Ignacio and Santa Elena took over the main streets of the towns to show their love and pride as the nation turns thirty-two. It was a stunning display of red, white and blue as they waved their flags and danced to the anthems of Independence.
Leslie Velasquez, Teacher, Faith Nazarene School
Leslie Velasquez
“We are celebrating our country Belize, everything that entails Belize from the national symbols, the flag, every single thing…the barrier reef, the sea, so it’s important for them to feel this patriotism during this time, so let’s bring them out here and let them parade with everything that they’ve got for our country. They represent our country, they are the future of our country…”
Shelan Humes, Teacher, Faith Nazarene School
“Well we are out here celebrating Belize. It’s something that every year we look forward to this event. The children’s rally is something very special, because it shows our students who we are as a country and we’re trying to instill in them this spirit of being true Belizeans, so the whole march is to celebrate Belize.”
By the time we caught up with one section of the march, the students were tired from having walked through the main streets of the twin towns. But they were enthusiastic, and their joy at being a part of this momentous occasion in our nation’s history was clear.
Shelan Humes
Shelan Humes
“The whole month of September, you know, our whole curriculum is geared to teaching them about our country, our history…where we were, where we are and where we plan to go as a country.”
Leslie Velasquez
“It starts with us the teachers and the parents at home. We practice with them, we tell them what it is that we’re doing today, the meaning of it, and what it should mean to every one of them, and they’re all excited and they’re still excited going back to school right now.”
Shelan Humes
“The parade speaks for itself…the students are excited. They know who they are. They know that this spirit of Belize is more than just a flag and colours – it’s us as a people. We are showing the world and telling the world that there is a country in Central America that is up and growing and will one day be one of those recognized countries out there.”
In just a few more hours, the country turns thirty-two and Belizeans in every corner of the jewel will celebrate.
Leslie Velasquez
“Every single Belizean, happy Independence Day, God bless you all because Faith Nazarene is all about instilling values in these children, instilling respect for others and especially respect for God so I want to tell all Belizeans God bless you and have fun for this independence.”
Shelan Humes
“I want to take this opportunity to wish all Belizeans countrywide a happy twenty-first of September.”
After the parade the students headed back to their respective schools where they will be allowed to take the rest of the day off. Mike Rudon for News Five.
