Bequia Anglican does a hat-trick at choral speech competition

For the third year in a row, the Bequia Anglican Primary School walked away with first place in the Ministry of Tourism’s Schools Choral Speech Competition.{{more}}

The youngsters’ lively and entertaining performance not only won them the judges nod, but also was a clear favourite with the crowd – receiving thunderous applause when they were announced the winners.

Dressed in the clothing of various cultures that have occupied St Vincent and the Grenadines, the students from Bequia Anglican waxed lyrical about the various local events, celebrations, traditions and people.

This year, theme of the competition – in its fourth year of production – was ‘Our Children Talk Tourism – embracing the diversity of our cultural treasures’, and took place at the Peace Memorial Hall on Monday, July 2.

Bequia Anglican received the challenge trophy, several individual trophies, a flat screen television and a DVD player.

Second place went to Calliaqua Anglican Primary School, who received a trophy, a printer and a digital camera. Lowmans Leeward Primary School took third place, and also received a trophy, along with a CD/Cassette player.

Bequia Anglican also won Best Presentation (prize donated by the Police Credit Union), Best Interpretation of Theme and Best Costume (both donated by LIME).

Lowmans Leeward won Best Written Speech, which was donated by WE FM radio station.

A special award was presented to the School for Children with Special Needs (Kingstown) – donated by the Basil Charles Educational Foundation. Some of its students gave special performances in dance and choral speaking.

The other competitors came from Lodge Village Primary School, Stubbs Government School, Mustique Government School, South Rivers Methodist School, CW Prescod Primary School and Sandy Bay Primary School.

Representatives were also present from the Ministry of Tourism, the Ministry of Education, the Tourism Authority and the various sponsors of the event.

In closing remarks, one of the judges, Reginald Thomas, National Insurance Scheme executive director, said that the panel was impressed by the schools’ performances – describing what they had seen and heard as “a rich expose of our cultural heritage”.(JV)