ST. MARY:
PORT MARIA Primary School saluted national and community heroes at an annual ceremony at the school Wednesday. The event showed that emphasis is placed on the cultural development of the students through a programme of activities.
Principal Viviene Irvine and staff saw it fit to honour a past member of staff, Pauline Barnett, who is now the head of the Early Childhood Education in Region Three.
She was honoured with an appreciation plaque for her outstanding contribution to both primary and territorial education.
Three ministers of religion, the Rev. Father Charles Manderson, Rev. Donald William and Pastor Trevor Howard received plaques for their spiritual development of the school. Among the other community heroes, were four retired cooks who served the school. Also honoured were Monica Ottar, Velma Moodie, Louise Thomas and Eunicia Moodie.
The award for outstanding contribution to the school was also received by three young men, Donovan Thompson, Raymond Ennis and Chester Robinson. Plaques were handed out to these young men. A former Bank of Novia Scotia manager, Anthony Boyd, received his plaque for assistance given to the school during the remodelling of its sanitary conveniences.
Performances by the students brought down the house, as they highlighted their rich culture in dance, songs, dub poetry and drumming. The re-enactment of the lives of the seven National Heroes was also enacted.
Community development officer Desmond Sinclair charged the audience to make sure that they leave a positive mark on others as they go through life. The National Heroes can be emulated, he said, as they constructed social life in the country.
