Children rally on independence eve
Like the Prime Minister’s Sate of the Nation address, Belize’s school children also participate in an annual pre-independence day event. News 5’s Jacqueline Woods has the story.
Jacqueline Woods, Reporting
This year’s version of the children’s rally leaned heavily toward entertainment provided by the students themselves.
Faye Gillette, District Education Manager, Bz. Dist.
“Today is a very important for all Belize City schools, today when they all assembled to have our annual school children rally. We also try to get the rural schools in Belize District to have a rally at this same time. So right now we have several rallies going on in the five zones for Belize District.”
Jacqueline Woods
“What kind of preparation goes into such an event?”
Faye Gillett
“Well first of all, we had to have a meeting with the school principals. As soon as school opens, the principals meet at the office in Belize City and they plan the programme. They determine what is to happen and how the programme should run, who we are going to invite to entertain and that type of thing.”
The programme ran smoothly, until that is, there was a power cut at the City Centre. Oh no, what should we do? With no music and lights, the young audience would surely become bored and empty the bleachers. But that would not be the case. Frantically, M.C. Paul Flowers gathered the school bands and asked them to play for the crowd. The young drummers, who had no set programme, quickly organized themselves and then beat out to the best of their ability.
One group which has been at the rally for several years is the twirlers of Queen St. Baptist Primary School. Today they were back at the event…all eighteen boys and girls. According to band leader Dorla McFoy has been surprised of the overwhelming support the twirlers have received over the years.
Dorla McFoy, Band Leader, Twirlers
“My objective was to revive marching band and to have twirlers, directors and tumblers. And our school doesn’t have the instruments, so I needed to work along with somebody who has, and that was no other than Mr. Bryant of Edward P. Yorke.”
Despite some wonderful presentations, the rally lacked the variety that held the children’s attention in the past. According to Faye Gillett, the Belize District Education Manager, they will need to meet to see what changes are needed for future rallies.
Faye Gillett
“Well from what is happening today, I don’t know if we need to consider another format that the rally should take place, I don’t know. We’ll probably have to meet again to decide that.”
Following the rally, the children returned to their schools, but not for long. Their participation was rewarded with the rest of the day off. Jacqueline Woods for News 5.
