By Gavincia Clarke
Nevispages.com
(CHARLESTOWN, NEVIS)- The Charlestown Secondary in collaboration with the Nevis Cultural Foundation held its Patriotic Programme today Wednesday, September 18, 2013 at the Grell Hull-Stevens Netball Complex.
Under the theme, ‘Stability, Creativity & Prosperity: Celebrating Independence 30’, students and teachers of the Charlestown Secondary School celebrated the 30th Anniversary of Independence in grand style.
It was indeed a festive celebration with a number of renditions to make the event cultural and entertaining. The program saw a medley of choruses by the school, a rendition by the CSS Choir, an item by the CSS Steel Band, a drill display by the Cadet Corp and other presentations by teachers and students. The 2013 first ever Miss Teen Nevis, Irveeka Nisbett also contributed to the ceremony by singing a song.
The morning proceedings began with the National Anthem by the audience. This was followed by the Invocation by Mr. Othniel Daly.
Clayticia Daniel, 2012 Valedictorian for the Gingerland Secondary School chaired the event.
Principal of the school, Mr. Edson Elliot delivered the Principal’s Remarks. Here, he used the opportunity to salute the first Premier of Nevis, the Right Honorable, Dr. Simeon Daniel who was made a National Hero of St. Kitts and Nevis on September 16, 2013.
The featured address was presented by Mr. Anselm Caines, former teacher of the Charlestown Secondary School. In giving his remarks Mr. Caines stated that it was certainly a signal honour and pleasure to be here this morning because this school undoubtedly holds a very special place in his heart. According to Mr. Caines he attended CSS for seven years as a student and then returned to serve as a teacher before going off to university.
He reminded the students that the theme for Independence 30 is indeed a very important one. “In just the first three words, it captures ALL that we as a nation and as a people have strived to achieve over the past 30 years of nationhood and that which we will try to further enhance and build upon during the next 30 years as well- Stability, Creativity and Prosperity: Celebrating Independence 30”, he said. Mr. Caines further stated that this Independence theme forces us to reflect upon the many challenges that our forefathers and ancestors would have faced on the road to taking us to Independence in 1983.
In closing Mr. Caines stated that ‘as we engage in this period of reflection and celebration, let us be thankful that as we approach our 30th Anniversary as an Independent nation, we can look back with satisfaction on what we have accomplished; and at the same time, look forward with great hope and expectation that the best is still yet to come’.
He used the opportunity to wish all a Happy Independence.
The presentations and the distribution of certificates were done by Gwenneth Jones. A number of students from Forms 1 to 4 were awarded certificates for their outstanding performances during the school year.
The excitement was not over for those in audience. Past Culturama Queens, Denesia Smithen and Santonnya Mills along with 2013 CSS House Pageant Winner, Melissa Gumbs thrilled the audience with a cultural presentation.
The ceremony got more electrifying when ‘King Meeko’ hit that staged singing his tune ‘Nevis Nice’. He then received company by Delly Ranks who both sung the most popular song for Culturama 2013 ‘Love de Festival’.