Seventh Day Adventist School
wins Performance of the Arts
MAHO--With an attention-grabbing presentation on “Our Mangroves,” Seventh Day Adventist School claimed the winning position with a total of 456 points at the end of the third annual Performance of the Arts themed “We Like to Lend Nature a Hand.”
Nine elementary schools participated in Sunday’s competition staged at Sonesta Maho Resort Convention Center. Ruby Labega School with the theme “Our Hills” was close behind Seventh Adventist School with a tally of 451 points that secured it the first runner-up position.
Methodist Agogic Centre’s Reverend John A. Gumbs Campus with the theme “Farming,” scored 424 points and was second runner-up.
Dr. Martin Luther King Junior School with theme “Our Trees” scored 411 points, and claimed the third runner-up position.
The remaining schools that participated were Learning Unlimited, Methodist Agogic Centre Browlia Maillard Campus, Marie Laurence School, Genevieve de Weever School and Oranje School.
Judging the competition based on content, introduction, creativity, organisation/timing, use of stage and speech were St. Maarten Archaeological Research Centre President Jay Haviser, St. Maarten Pride Foundation founder and President Jadira Veen, Environmental Project Manager Reuben Thompson of Environmental Protection in the Caribbean, St. Maarten Share Heritage Platform representative Alphonso Blijden, Beverly Nisbeth of Nature Foundation St. Maarten, and head judge Windward Islands Bank Marketing Manager and Public Relations Officer Rolando Tobias.
Officially opening the event was Education Commissioner Sarah Wescot-Williams. She commended the organisers on the impressive setup of the Maho Convention Centre, which was completely decorated in natural items, from a carpet of red sand to replica displays of the pond and lagoon to the podium fully covered in St. Maarten’s natural flora.
Apart from the various presentations by the schools, entertainment was provided by hosts Dorothy Richardson and young Leann Richardson who kept the audience comically entertained while the schools prepared the set for their presentations.
Also entertaining were the St. Joseph School choir, Darcie Duffis on the saxophone, the Marie Genevieve de Weever School choir, a song by a pupil of Methodist Agogic Centre Reverend John A. Gumbs Campus and songs by Davidson Charles of Prince Willem Alexander School.
Charles was honoured by the commissioner for his school spirit in insisting that his school be represented somehow at the event, despite not being able to perform due to unforeseen circumstances. He was rewarded with a computer.
Overall each school represented its topic to the utmost by sending out its message through a comical or serious skit, while some schools incorporated song. At the end of the event the commissioner commented that she was sure that, like her, the audience must have been impressed with the performances, manner of speaking and creativity displayed by the participants. Costume design and props were definitely eye-catching and deserving of praise.
