The Tribune

AS the E Clement Bethel National Arts Festival recently started its Abaco adjudications, residents were happy and excited that it is giving Abaconians a change to showcase their talents.

Founder and administrator of Every Child Counts (ECC) Lyn Major said that it was wonderful that the E Clement Bethel National Arts Festival adjudications came to the school.

“The first time we entered was last year and it was a really neat experience for the kids and I think it really helps them with their practising music and art and they look forward to this time,” she said. “It is just a great experience.”

The mission of the special school is to provide an alternative education for children with learning, developmental or physical disabilities (regardless of financial, family or social restraints) to maximize each child’s ability to become a productive, successful and independent citizen.

ECC Art teacher Nicole DeNardin said that entering the National Arts Festival is “a really good thing for the school because we have a lot of talented children”.

“It is really nice to see them show off their talents, especially since we are so proud of them,” Ms. DeNardin said. “We are happy that other people can see that, too.”

Adjudicators also visited Angels Academy, a school showcasing talent for the first time in the Festival. Director Shelley Roark and Arts teacher Stacey Adderley both said that it was great taking part in the adjudications and their students enjoyed presenting their talents through choral verse speaking and the visual arts, especially in stop-motion animation.

Man-O-Cay Primary School Principal and Upper Primary School teacher Kellie Janes said she is very proud of the students performing that day.

“I am thrilled and proud seeing our students perform so well,” she said. “We had a great time getting the students ready to perform their songs and we are happy that the Festival is here today.”

Parent Mandy Sands agreed and said she was “so impressed” with the students on the island singing in the Festival.

“I thought they did wonderful,” Mrs. Sands said. “This is my daughter’s last year (Katie Sands) and that is why I am here to see her perform – it’s an emotional thing, you know?”

Ms Carol Weatherford, who teaches music at the school, said that it was a wonderful tradition for the students to perform in the Festival and they need to take part in it.

“I think we still need the National Arts Festival because it is a tradition and that is one of the important things on this island,” she said. “They pass all the information on so that different generations know it; so it is wonderful.”

“I think that the National Arts Festival is a great idea because the students get to practice and learn more,” said Mrs Cindy Weatherford, mother of Britanny, who led her schoolmates in a fun version of “I’ve Been Redeemed.”

“I love music and having the National Arts Festival around that long (over 50 years) gets them to realize that it’s a part of us as Bahamians,” she added.

“I think that it is a great tradition and should be maintained for the future,” Principal Janes noted. “It is a wonderful thing to inspire the Arts.”

“There is no way to celebrate our culture like the National Arts Festival,” Mrs Sands said. “That is why it is so important.”