Primary School Students Celebrate Belizean Culture and Identity

The classrooms were a little quieter today, but the Belize Civic Center was bursting with youthful energy and national pride. Hundreds of primary school students gathered for the annual Children’s Rally, filling the venue with patriotic colors, music and vibrant cultural performances. The event forms part of the September Celebrations leading up to Independence Day and gives young Belizeans a chance to celebrate their identity outside the classroom. News Five’s Britney Gordon joined the festivities.

 

Britney Gordon, Reporting

With flags flying and patriotic songs filling the air, hundreds of primary school students came together today to celebrate what it means to be Belizean. The annual Children’s Rally transformed the Belize Civic Center into a vibrant showcase of national pride, as the country’s September festivities continue.

 

Francis Fonseca, Minister of Education

“Always a great pleasure. You see all the energy from the kids. They love Belize. They’re full of energy. So it’s good to just be here with them and celebrate the spirit of September the spirit of Belize with them. Last year was we got rained out last year. So only a few schools actually made it. This year we have everybody in the house. So fantastic experience for them.”

 

The rally saw hundreds of students sitting at the Civic Center for the celebrations. St. Martin de Porres R.C. School alone brought over two hundred students from Standards Four, Five and Six. Principal Michelle Murray Gordon says they try to participate every year so students can experience the event.

 

Michelle Murray Gordon, Principal, St. Martin de Porres RC School

“It’s very important to help them build their patriotism and their pride in the country of Belize and it also gives them an opportunity to have fun in a safe space and just let loose a little bit. They enjoy it. They always look forward to come for the years that some can come, like maybe if they don’t invite all, some of them beg to come, so they really look forward to it.”

 

The event saw presentations of dance, song, and poetry. Eleven-year-old Anwar Perez shares what today’s celebration means to him.

 

Anwar Perez, Student, St. Martin De Porres RC School

“Most important part is definitely celebrating our country and showing who we really are as a people. Because there’s many ways where people would say that we have bad things going on in our country, but this is a way to show that it’s not just that. We have many more to provide.”

 

We also asked a few students what makes them proud to be a Belizean.

 

Jah’Niyah Jones, Student, St. Martin De Porres RC School

“I proud to be a Belizean because Belizean people ney nice.”

 

Jaylee Dawnson, Student, St. Martin De Porres RC School

“Because the food and the culture and they’re just so nice people.”

 

Anwar Perez

“What makes me proud to be a Belizean. I feel like we have a very beautiful country. Though it has flaws, I think that we, if we just get that chance to show to the world, I feel like we could be renowned as one of the best countries.”

 

Britney Gordon

“What makes you proud to be a Belizean?”

 

Austin Madrid

“Everything.”

 

Today belonged to Belize City, but schools nationwide will stage their Children’s Rallies on September eighteenth. Britney Gordon for News Five.

 

 

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

 

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