The Tribune

OLD BIGHT, Cat Island

Teachers at the Old Bight High School applauded the Local Government Junior Council programme and commended the Ministry of Agriculture, Marine Resources and Local Government for bringing it to the island.

Old Bight High School principal Jerome Forbes said he was “blessed” by the proceedings and the event was one he will never forget.

“To see young people come together – not just as individuals but as teams – presenting platforms for the betterment of their school and Cat Island was a joy,” Mr Forbes said.

“To see their team spirit and their campaigns – it just shows that students are learning what goes into a general election. We even saw them with their ‘election generals’, their flyers, their posters, the rousing speeches they made.”

Officials from the Ministry of Agriculture, Marine Resources and Local Government were in Cat Island from November 13 to oversee and conduct elections during that week, along with local co-ordinators, at Arthur’s Town and Old Bight High Schools.

The Ministry is currently conducting the second phase of the 2013/2014 Local Government Junior Council Programme, which entails the election and swearing-in ceremonies, on a number of islands.

Local co-ordinator at Old Bight High School, Deidra Rolle, said she thought the campaigning and debates went off quite well, especially in light of the amount of preparation involved.

“It came out excellent today because they all showed up and ‘showed off’ and showed that they are very intelligent and ready to work, prepared to make a change for Old Bight High School,” Ms Rolle said.

“I think the students enjoyed it very much because they had their pompoms and their paraphernalia ready to go for the campaign and they were getting hyped up all week, in anticipation for today.”

Itinerant guidance counsellor RoxAnn Williams said she thought that the students “had a blast”, especially those campaigning for the posts.

“I was so proud of them,” she exclaimed. “They went up there and they showed their talents and what I think is important to note is that they showed that they have a lot of critical-thinking skills. You had a lot of the same issues presented and it shows that they do sit down and think of the things that are needed here at the school.

“For the future of the island, what I like is that they are thinking about change because Cat Island is one of those islands that has been somewhat under-developed, so it shows that they are thinking beyond their current position,” Ms Williams said. “They are thinking about their community and I think they did a wonderful job.

“It was not just about ‘dream selling’ – to use the vernacular – but they were pragmatic about it. They were practical. I had a good time, they had a great time and I am excited.”

“If this is an idea of what this junior council will be like, I must say that they are starting out on the right track,” Mr Forbes said. “I look forward to see them serving in their school, as the local government junior council.”