Annual Children?s Rally dominates City Centre
It’s an event that primary schoolers look forward to every year … the Children’s Rally. Today, News Five’s Jacqueline Godwin sat in on the ceremony in the old capital.
Jacqueline Godwin, Reporting
Despite sweltering heat, this morning more than three thousand primary school students paraded from the Marion Jones Stadium to the Belize City Centre for the annual Children?s Rally.
This year, in celebration of the twenty fifth anniversary of Belize?s Independence and the 208th Anniversary of the Battle of St. George?s Caye, the children were joined by a distinguished group of guests that included the Father of the Nation, The Right Honourable George Price, the Governor General Sir Colville Young, Sr, acting Chief Justice of Belize Troadio Gonzales, Belize City Mayor Zenaida Moya and Minister of Education, Francis Fonseca. Former Jamaican Prime Minister P.J. Patterson also made a brief visit to the event. As an honorary guest, Patterson was presented with a gift from the Belize District Association of Principals. Before leaving the country, Patterson offered advice to boys and girls.
P.J. Patterson, Former Prime Minister of Jamaica
?Learn from now how important discipline is to each of you as individuals and to your community as a whole. Belize has a rich cultural history make sure you not only preserve it but build upon it.?
The rally was celebrated under the theme: A Nation Alive, A People with pride ? Belize at 25.
Francis Fonseca, Minister of Education
?Over the next twenty-five years my young friends it will be you that will shape Belize and change Belize. It is my hope and I am sure the hope of all these wonderful people gathered here to honour you and celebrate with you that you will work hard to build a better Belize.?
The ceremony included several presentations including an award to the local manager of All Saints and St. Andrew primary schools, Faye Gillett. Gillett was awarded for her outstanding service to education. Today ten students were given full scholarships to complete their primary school education.
Tina Shen, P.S.E. 2006 Top Performer
?It is my pleasure to be here at this Independence Celebration with so many people. We should thank God first of all and our father of the nation and many other national heroes who helped Belize in getting its independence. If it wasn?t for them Belize might be still be under the domination of Great Britain.?
Young role models such as Tina Shen, P.S.E. 2006 Top performer and outstanding athlete Shiana Flowers also addressed the students while P.S.E. 2006 second top performer Mischa ? Von – Derek Aikman was the master of ceremonies.
Reporting for News Five Jacqueline Godwin.
