WESTMORELAND: THE JAMAICA Cultural Development Commission (JCDC), Westmoreland parish office in preparation for their 2003 festival of the Performing Arts competition hosted two days of speech and drama zone finals at the United Church Hall, Savanna-la-Mar, Westmoreland last Thursday and Friday. They were held under the theme, 'Unearthing, Developing and Showcasing the best of Jamaican culture'. Coretta Spence, the parish manager of JCDC, told The Gleaner that the events of both days were to select the items for their parish finals slated to be held on May 15 at the same venue. She went on to say that on day one, which catered for students of classes 1-3, some 90 pieces were performed. And on day two for classes 4-7, 64 pieces were performed. The Gleaner visited the church hall on the afternoon of day one and observed 16 female students, of the Little London Primary School, performing their piece, March on Washington, by Louise Bennett. Then their piece number two, entitled Uriah Preach, was performed by 16 boys. The boys had the entire audience listening to them in awe. They were given a rousing applause by the audience. The Georges Plain Primary School also performed on day one. Their piece entitled, Let Freedom Ring, was done by 16 boys, who really stunned the audience as they performed. The Gleaner also visited the church hall on day two, just in time to see 10 girls from Godfrey Stewart High School taking the stage to do their piece entitled 'Com Wi Go Dung Deh'. These girls really performed beyond their expectations, as this was manifested in the applause given from the audience. Special congratulations to their teacher Elaine Smith. GOOD PERFORMANCES Yvonne Lawrence, speaking with The Gleaner on behalf of the judges, said the pieces performed on both days were quite good and very competitive. Most of them, she said, would be going on to the parish finals next month. "I am very pleased with the number of males who performed over these two days, this is a very good sign. They are really displaying their talents". She also had high praises for the teachers who prepared the students. She went on to dismiss the notion, in some quarters, that teachers were not performing. She also encouraged all the students to make the best use of their school days.