Ain’t nothing going to break GHS stride!

Nothing is going to break the stride of the Girls’ High School (GHS) as the 100-year-old institution moves into its second century.{{more}}

The popular song, “Ain’t nothing gonna break my stride”, was performed as the finale of the “Talent Extravaganza”, which took place at the Faith Temple Church at New Montrose last Wednesday evening; part of the school’s 100th Anniversary celebrations.

Even though the show ran for just over three and one half hours, the performances by the past and present students of the all-girls institution had the packed audience calling for more.

After the opening number “Through the years” sung by Verne Kirby, the centenary mass choir made their entrance into the hall singing “I am Woman”. Choir members were dressed in the costumes of various careers including farmers, medical personnel, lawyers, law enforcement officers, and members of the clergy.

In their next appearance, the mass choir treated the audience to a medley of oldies, including numbers such as “Say a little prayer” and “I will follow him”. During this performance, Rechanne Browne-Matthias was the soloist.

The cultural show, designed to showcase the talent of a Vincentian school over the years would have been complete without folksongs. And the audience was not disappointed. An energetic and humorous performance of “Plenty Wuk Fo’ School Pickney” and “Green Peas Soup” was very well received.

An encore performance was requested for “Time for Celebration”, the centennial song, which was written and arranged for the anniversary by Former GHS Headmistress and Chairperson of the Talent Extravaganza organizing committee, Jeanne Horne. Horne had the audience in stitches as she sang one verse of the song to a “dub” rhythm.

Erlene Williams King thrilled the audience with her entertaining number “The Lion Sleeps”, while Judith Cadougan, Jean Cole and Alanda Ballantyne sang “When you believe”.

The trio of Swen Swift, Karissa Clarke and Nicole Martindale-Snagg rivaled the Supremes both in costume and vocals with their rendition of “Stop in the name of love”.

Vocal performances also included “The prayer” by Kelsie Haynes, two numbers by Tabia Matthews and “Are you ready” by Junior Past Students.

Instrumental performances included a piano solo by Joanne John-Collis; a clarinet and piano duet by Marla Nanton and Janelle Allen; and Edelweiss, performed by a 10-member orchestra made up of past and present students. And of course there was pan, with both present and past students giving outstanding performances.

Olivia Trimmingham DaSilva, dressed in full school uniform and carrying her “book grip”, had the audience roaring with laughter as she performed a monologue which paid tribute to her teachers and her days in school.

Maya Angelou’s poem “Phenomenal Woman” was read by Grace Peters-Clarke, to the accompaniment in dance of Shadeisha George, Jodi Anthony and Denecia Gaymes.

Tribute was paid in dance to the late dramatist Arlene Keane Browne by Ruth Reddock Knights, Claudette Laidlow Williams and Claudette Reddock Lewis, while Lateifa Noel, a present student performed a dance solo: “Rolling in the Deep”.

Ten former students, who attended the school in the 1960s, reminisced on their school days in a skit narrated by Iris Mounsey, while Leeonney Bentick, Nickele McLean and Niasha Mofford were thoroughly entertaining with their dramatization “Hair Piece”.

Wednesday evening’s event was one of several events held this week as the Girls’ High School brings the year of celebration of its anniversary to a close.

Tonight, the Gala Centenary Dinner and Awards Ceremony will be held at the International Aquatic Club, while on Saturday evening, the Blue and White Affair will be held at the Victoria Park. This event will count down to the actual 100th Anniversary date of May 8, 2011. An ecumenical service, which will be held on Sunday at 4:00 p.m. at the Kingstown Methodist Church will bring the activities to a close.