Today thousands of primary school students got a head start on Independence Day celebrations at children's rallies held across the country. In Belize City three thousand students partied at the City Centre with a special guest of honor. 7NEWS was there for an inspiring show of patriotism.
Keith Swift Reporting,
It was an independence celebration - primary school style inside the City Center. The crowd was three thousand strong with students from 28 schools in the Belize District. And what a celebration it was as the students celebrated Belize at 25 through music. This one came from the Salvation Army Primary School's choir. This is their rendition of Belize by the Sea.
[Clip of Performance]
And while Salvation Army students sang music - the now renowned dancers and drummers from Saint Luke's Methodist School made music.
[Clip of St. Luke's Performance]
But the most captivating performance of the morning came from St. Ignatius Primary School. They called this one: "Happy Birthday Belize."
[Clips of St. Ignatius' Performance]
It didn't end there. The performance hit a patriotic high note with this rendition of the national anthem on a saxophone. There are few words to describe what followed.
[Portion of the national anthem with all students waving their flags.]
And while there were students who simply held their flags and others who freely and proudly waved it, that wasn't sufficient for St. Joseph's School. They re-created the Coat of Arms. And perhaps all of this was fitting in a morning where the Rt. Hon. George Price shared the stage and held hands with the Hon. Patrick Faber and Mayor Zenaida Moya. That's three term Jamaican Prime Minister PJ Patterson in the center was the guest of honor. After receiving an award, he had this advice for the students.
PJ Patterson, Former Jamaican Prime Minister
"Take some time to know about your selves. Take some time to know about your geographical location and the nations that are around you. But also be imbued from early with a sense of social responsibility to work not only for yourselves and your family but for your nation and to make your nation strong, powerful, and prosperous in the years to come."
Patterson left to a hero's salute but that wasn't the end of the show. Before it was all over, George Price received an award and so did Faye Gillett for her contribution to education. Education Minister Francis Fonseca also awarded primary school scholarships to ten students. Fonseca told the students the next 25 years will be theirs.
Hon. Francis Fonseca, Minister of Education
"It will be you who will shape Belize and change Belize. It is my hope and I am sure the hope of all these wonderful people gathered here to honor you and to celebrate with you that you will work hard to build a better Belize."
He didn't make it to our story, but we must make mention of the very competent master of ceremonies who was Mischa-von-Derek Aikman. The students who walked home with scholarships are Sandra Murillo, Lisa Lewis, Gasman Young, Dalton Daly, Candice Wade, Henry Rivas, Frederick Trapp, Sherie Herbert, and Adelie Davis.
