Elocution contest held at Parish Hall
The Belize branch of the Belize National Teacher’s Union is celebrating Education Week with a number of activities. Today the children got a chance to participate in an elocution contest at the Holy Redeemer Parish Hall. News Five was there.
Child #1
“I am a serious child with serious goals. My life is destined to be filled with positivity.”
Child #2
“The black cat yawns, opens her jaws, stretches her legs and shows her claws. Then she gets up and stands on four long stiff legs and yawns some more.”
Child #3
“I am a child, a small wonder of this universe. I am so special and a delight to the world.”
A total of twenty schools from the Belize District took part in the elocution contest. The students did monologues, poetry and choral speaking and were judged on how well they expressed themselves, their knowledge on the piece and the use of props and costumes. Carol Babb is the contest coordinator.
Carol Babb, Coordinator, Elocution Contest
“We thought about this idea because we are celebrating Education Week. We thought what better idea to highlight Education Week than allowing our talented children to express themselves.”
Leroy Green, one of the three judges at the Holy Redeemer Parish Hall, said the students needed to prepare themselves as there are specific skills required in an elocution contest.
Leroy Green, Judge, Elocution Contest
“In the classroom I would imagine that the teachers would at least hear the voices of the children and see how well they can project their voices to see if they have any dramatic ability since delivering a piece of poetry or doing a monologue is not just getting up there and talking. You have to use body language on stage to get your message across to the listener.”
Child #4
“What do whales eat? Where do flies sleep? My little brother asks so many questions, I don’t know what to do. And if you have a brother, perhaps he is like that too. I really wouldn’t mind so much if I had all the answers.”
Babb says the purpose of the contest is not just to win prizes but to help the children feel confident.
Carol Babb
“Well it helps a child to build his self esteem. It gives an opportunity for children to express themselves. Some of them are very talented and this is one avenue in which they get the opportunity to show what they are capable of doing.”
Child #5
“I am a great somebody. Start leading me now; start guiding me now; start raising me now and you will see me rise to the highest heights.”
In the Infants category the poetry winner was Taheera Usher of St. Ignatius Lower School, second was Camile Wade of St. John Vianney and Yoleen Richards of St. Martin de Porres came in third. For the middle division’s choral speech competition St. John Vianney came in first, with Central Christian second and Queen’s Square third. In the upper division category on original speech the winner was Lusette Gibson of St. Ignatius, Kenyon Maskall of Queen’s Square was second while third place went to Solange Johnson of Central Christian. Tomorrow teachers get into the act at a karaoke showdown at the Parish Hall. The fun begins at 6 p.m. On Teacher’s Day this Friday, B.N.T.U. members will have a trip to Clarissa Falls in the Cayo District. They will be joined by Minister of Education Cordel Hyde and Lorna McDougal of the National Organization for the Prevention of Child Abuse.
