Monday, March 9, 2015, music, dancing and bright colors in a march from the Brades Primary School to the Montserrat Cultural Centre, the staff and students of the Montserrat Secondary School (MSS) began celebrating 2015 Commonwealth Day.
Full house watch on stage speeches and performances
Commonwealth Day is observed and or celebrated yearly in 53 Commonwealth Nations across the globe. The MSS day’s event was one of the 730 individual events, taking place to celebrate Commonwealth Day, and from comments and observations, The performances beginning with the March from Brades to the Cultural Centre were outstanding and memorable.
MSS students representing the nations of their origin with their national flags, national colors, dresses and things symbolic to their culture with Principal Mrs. Cherilyn Hogan leading the march, while the students danced to music, beat drums and chanted as they moved along the streets.
A flag raising ceremony at the Montserrat Culture Center, marked the beginning of the activities in the presence of H. E. the Governor Adrian Davis and Premier the Hon. Donaldson Romeo, followed by the raising of flags representing the nationalities of students attending the school. The flag ceremony was conducted by members of the MSS Cadet corps.
The MSS student population is made up of nationalities including, The United Kingdom, Australia, India, Malaysia, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, Grenada, St. Vincent and Grenadines, Guyana, the Dominican Republic, Antigua and Barbuda, and Haiti.
The MSS students showcased their different cultures in dance and singed in a cultural extravaganza witnessed by the Governor and his wife Sujue Davis, the Ministers of Government, parents and guests.
- E Governor read the Commonwealth Day message, of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II during the morning’s event. In her address, Her Majesty stressed the need for more partnership and cooperation and highlighted the need for more involvement of what she termed, “a Young Commonwealth,” as the agent for change. “
“Indeed, it seems to me that now, in the second decade of the twenty first century, what we share through being members of the Commonwealth is more important and worthy of protection than perhaps at any other time in the Commonwealth’s existence. We are guardians of a precious flame, and it is our duty not only to keep it burning brightly but to keep it replenished for the decades ahead.
“With this in mind, I think it apt that on this day we celebrate ‘A Young Commonwealth’ and all that it has to offer. As a concept that is unique in human history, the Commonwealth can only flourish if its ideas and ideals continue to be young and fresh and relevant to all generations.”
The cultural show also included entertainment from The Emerald Singers, the National Youth Choir, MSS Band and students.
The day’s celebration climaxed with food and drinks from the various countries represented with the school band providing musical entertainment.
