Tanya Batson-Savage, Freelance Writer
St. Jago High school once again walked away with the Marcus Garvey Award for Excellence in the Performing Arts in the festival of the performing arts staged by the Jamaica Cul-tural Development Commission (JCDC). The announcement was made last Thursday as a part of Mello-Go-Roun' 2006 at the National Arena.
The award is given to a school or group that has achieved high standards of performance in at least three of the five areas of the competition: speech, dance, drama, music and traditional folk forms.
Regional finals
The winner is selected though an accumulation of points based on the medals won at the regional finals, recommendation for national finals and the receipt of national and overall awards. The award is named after National Hero, The Right Excellent Marcus Mosiah Garvey who both promoted and practised the arts.
St. Jago is no stranger to the trophy. Since the trophy's inception in 1994, they won each year until 2001. From 2002 to 2003, Clonmel Primary and Jun-ior High shook loose their grasp and then the trophy was won by Excelsior Community College in the year 2004-2005.
Last year's winner
St. Jago again seems to be intent on re-establishing their dominance as this is their second year with the trophy on their mantle as they were last year's winner. The trophy was accepted by Pauline Matthie, the school's drama teacher, whose work with the drama club is responsible for much of the school's dominance.
Under a theme of Brukins, Mello-Go-Roun' 2006 was hosted by Winston Bell, Deon Silvera, Karl Williams and Richard Derby who took on Brukins personas in keeping with the theme.
Interestingly, none of St. Jago's performances were included on the evening's roster of dance, speech, music and traditional folk forms.
- T.B.-S.
