Children’s Rally a success

It’s September and the festivities are only half-way through for the month. As a part of the celebrations, students are engaged in fun and educational activities, like the annual Primary School Rally. Students from each primary school across the city gathered for an exciting show. News Five’s Andrea Polanco stopped by the Bird’s Isle and joined the crowd of proud Belizean students.

Andrea Polanco, Reporting

A wave of red, white and blue descended at the gymnasium at Bird’s Isle. Over two hundred primary school students gathered for the annual September rally. Dressed in uniforms and waving Belize flags, the children celebrated in a patriotic festivity.

Arlette Gomez

Arlette Gomez, Public Relations, Ministry of Education Youth and Sports

“We’re holding the annual primary school children’s rally today and we’ve for the past four years added another element, which is the high school rally in the afternoons. This morning we are holding this rally under the theme of patriotism. It all encompasses the theme for the celebrations but we are trying to emphasize patriotism in our school children; respect for the anthem, learn the anthem and why we are singing the anthem and the significance of the anthem so that is what we are trying to do this morning.”

And with an interactive fun approach, the youngsters say they learned quite a bit.

Nisan Nolberto

Christian Frederiques, St. Luke’s Methodist School

“The Children’s rally was about Belize and to teach you how Belize was a truly great country.”

Nisan Nolberto, St. Luke’s Methodist School

“I learn the motto of Belize.”

Eric Kuylen, St. Ignatius Primary School

“I learn about Independence Day and how much fun we are going to have next year.”

Jaymon Meighan, St. Ignatius Primary School

Jaymon Meighan

“I like that how deh mek different things showing all of Belize one time.”

Andrea Polanco

“Okay, so was it fun? You guys enjoyed yourselves?”

Eric Kuylen

“Yes.”

Andrea Polanco

“So Alina, tell me what you enjoyed the most today?”

Alina Rodriguez

Alina Rodriguez, Holy Redeemer Primary School

“The most was the part where the carnival girl took off her clothes and she was pretty.”

Andrea Polanco

“So you enjoyed that performance of the Ernestine song?”

Alina Rodriguez

“Yes, I enjoyed everything.”

Andrea Polanco

“And you, what was fun today for you?”

Diana Banks, Holy Redeemer Primary School

Diana Banks

“Everything and my cousin, Teacher I and the last one.”

Andrea Polanco

“What about Aurelio Martinez, you liked that part?”

Alina Rodriguez

“Yes, he was amazing.”

Diana Banks

“Yes, great but what was not good is that students were disrespectful in that there was a lot of noise and teachers couldn’t control the students, but we were on control because we learnt from the best.”

Andrea Polanco

“So you guys are very proud of your school in being out here today?”

Diana Banks

“Yes. Yes.”

And for that reason, Gomez says it remains imperative that respect for  the country be engendered from a young age. She says it shouldn’t be just for the month of September.

Arlette Gomez

“We put a different twist to it this year; we introduced the color guard with the youth cadet corp. We had them understand what the significance of the color guard is; and to face the cadet corps that was holding the flag so they put hands over their hearts and to show respect for the flag, the country, and the anthem. So we have been seeing it and we have been doing this over the course of the year. We didn’t wait until the month of September when all of this will be happening. We asked the school to teach the children the anthem and for them to understand why we are doing this.”

The children put on a number of performances; song, drama and dance.  One of the children’s favorites was this young girl who paid tribute to artists, LeeLa Vernon and Ernestine Carballo.

And at the end of the rally, legendary Aurelio Martinez had the students on their feet and flags were flying high.

Students

“We wish Belize a happy Independence Day. Happy September Belize…Happy September. Happy September Celebrations Belize.”

Reporting for News Five, I’m Andrea Polanco.

The high school students had a rally at one in the afternoon, also at Bird’s Isle.