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| Ianthe Pratt pupils win HIV/Aids singing comp |
TALENTED pupils from Ianthe Pratt Primary School gave the performances of their lives on Tuesday, when they sang and danced their way into first place in this year’s national song competition.
The third annual HIV/Aids song comp took place at the Gustarvus Lightbourne Sports Complex in Downtown, Providenciales.
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Representatives from seven primary schools gathered at the centre to show off their performance skills and illustrate what they have learnt about the HIV epidemic.
Run under the theme ‘Take the lead, stop Aids, keep the promise, empower and deliver,’ this years competition focused on faith based organisations.
Pupils from grades two to five had to demonstrate their understanding of the theme in just four minutes using any one of a number of musical styles, including reggae, calypso, rap, soca, R&B and jazz.
Denise Saunders, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Human Services, added: “This theme not only speaks to the church leaders but also encourages you to be aware of your role in adopting healthy lifestyles and underscores your ability to help and empower your peers.”
First up in front of the judges were pupils from Best Institute with a short folk and rap song called ‘Aids a termite.’
Due to a technical fault causing loud feedback, the youngsters were slightly startled but soldiered through and to give an excellent performance.
Next up were last year’s winners Enid Capron Primary in beautiful red and white costumes with their R&B song entitled ‘Take the lead, stop the spread of Aids.’
Their well coordinated song and dance won them second place in the competition.
Third place winners Precious Treasures were up next with a rap, reggae and R&B song featuring a skilled young solo rapper.
Fourth before the judges were talented pupils from Whole Gospel Christian Academy who took advantage of the option to play instruments and got out the drums, saw, maracas and wood block for their rake and scrape song ‘Take the lead, keep the promise.’
Charles Hubert James Primary then took to the stage to perform their reggae song entitled ‘Take the lead.’
Dressed in white t-shirts and red sashes pupils shimmied and shook to the catchy tune, while one exceptional student sang solo.
Winners Ianthe Pratt proved they were worthy of their title in an extravagant, colourful and imaginative display of dance, drama and music.
Their song ‘Aids – the deadly virus’ was so catchy it could be heard hummed throughout the crowd for many minutes after it had ended.
The youngsters made their own costumes and props and it was clear they all enjoyed themselves as they performed for the delighted crowd.
Adelaide Oemler was the last school to perform with their reggae song ‘Aids the destroyer.’
Their red and white costumes were striking as was the beat filled tune the pupils sang.
Keziah Nash, officer and assistant coordinator at the National Aids Programme, chaired Tuesday’s event.
“We’re aware that young people are vulnerable to HIV but are also able to change the course of the epidemic.
“We are willing to give you the necessary support,” she told the youngsters.
Aldora Robinson, coordinator of the National Aids Programme, said that this year the programme is looking to empower the churches and get them more involved.
“We have people from all walks of life in faith based organisations and we need to get them to address HIV and Aids in a more dynamic way.”
She added that this year all the songs will be put onto a CD that “you can play over and over again.”
Minister of Education Carlton Mills said he was happy to involve churches in this year’s HIV/Aids awareness week.
“I want to implore the churches to play their part in empowering the people and bringing about awareness of Aids.”
He added that extra curricular activities will be on the top of his agenda for next year.
“One of the things we’re going to be embracing is extra curricular activities like drama song and dance – bringing about creativity,” he said.
“Students I want to assure you that as we build schools for the future, we want you to be able to express yourself in a dignified way.”
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| [ 14-01-2009 ] |
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