Nassau, The Bahamas – As the 59th Annual E. Clement Bethel National Arts Festival Adjudication gears up to continue after the Easter holidays, educators and parents on Grand Bahama and New Providence commended the programme and what participating meant to their students and children.
Hartman Carey, father of Bishop Michael Eldon High School 10th-grade student Lathera Carey, said he was proud of his daughter and was pleasantly surprised that she performed her way to the highest score in her performance age class on the island – twice.
“I did not know that she could sing as well as she did; but everyday she amazes me,” he said. “I will encourage her to continue to follow her dreams and if that is what career she wants, I will support her 100 per cent.”
Music teacher at Walter Parker Primary School Ms. Erica Weir said that her students enjoy taking part in the Festival each year.
“They love music,” she exclaimed. “They love to sing, play their instruments and I think have truly been enjoying the National Arts Festival and getting some exposure and getting their confidence up. I think it also helps them in their school work.”
“Once they listen to their teacher, do as they are told and practice and keep that energy up, they do very well. I am so proud of them,” she added.
Vice President of the school Ms. Monica Smith was on hand for several of the performances by the students and she applauded them.
“I think the students performing here are excellent,” she said. “They have a history and legacy of doing well in the National Arts Festival; so the children are confident in their abilities.”
Bartlett Hill Primary School teacher Ms. Latisha Taylor congratulated her students for their score for their dance routine “The Government Dem” and she knows that the students benefit from taking part in the National Arts Festival.
“I think that they did very well and it is great exposure for them, even though this is just their first time competing,” Ms. Taylor said. “I think that next year they will be even more ready and learn from the techniques that the adjudicator showed them.
“I am very proud of them.”
Mother of St. Paul’s Methodist College fifth-grader De’Janell Dixon, Mrs. Debra Dixon, said she was “so proud” of her daughter’s dance performances that garnered the nine-year-old student very high scores for her various routines.
“She really works hard and she looks forward to the National Arts Festival every year,” Ms. Dixon said. “It gives her a little exposure with her dance technique; so I am proud of her.
“I am always overwhelmed watching her dance. She always captures my attention. What I love about her when she dances is that she always gives it her best.”
In New Providence, Primary Music Teacher at the St. Andrew’s School Tom Zumchek said that this year was the third the choir took part in the Festival and although they were a little nervous onstage, he is always impressed by the it members’ behaviour and respect shown at the event.
“The children were excited to be in the Festival,” he said.
Mother of St. Andrew’s School fourth-grader Meena Gupta Ms. Kimberly Gupta said she was one “very proud mama” after watching her daughter perform in the St. Andrew’s School Junior Choir.
“I am happy to see all of them perform and partake in some of the regular, everyday activities,” Ms. Gupta said. “I think they have put all their efforts into it and it has shown through.”
Teacher at Kingsway Academy Ms. Lakeita Adderley said she was excited at the performance of the students from her school, in particular the female gospel accappella group “Perfect Harmony”.
“They did really well and I was really pleased with them, they just need to sing a little bit slower,” she said. “Overall, I think we did well and we will do better next year.”
Freeport’s Walter Parker Primary School Vice Principal Ms. Monica Smith summed up the experience best when she added that the students taking part in the E. Clement Bethel National Arts Festival also benefit in ways other than scores from adjudicators.
“When children do well in music and they enjoy it, they seem to enjoy almost every other aspect of their school life,” Ms. Smith said. “It is the icing on the cake for everything they do.”
By ERIC ROSE
Bahamas Information Services
