Students March to a Brighter Rhythm at St. Martin de Porres

A brand-new beat is filling the halls at St. Martin de Porres Primary School and it’s one the students won’t forget anytime soon. Thanks to a generous donation from the Fort George Hotel and Spa, the school now has a set of marching drums, opening the door to its very first marching band. The handover comes as the hotel celebrates its second anniversary, turning the moment into a special double celebration, one that students marked with pride through a ceremony led by the kids themselves. Smiles were wide, excitement was high, and for many students, this donation represents a chance to discover new talent, discipline, and teamwork through music. News Five’s Britney Gordon was at the school today, taking in the rhythm, the celebration, and the joy, bringing us the story of how a simple set of drums is striking a powerful chord in this school community.

 

Britney Gordon, Reporting

Swift Hall was alive with the sound of drums this morning as students of St. Martin’s de Porres Primary School celebrated a brand-new donation from the Fort George Hotel and Spa. The drums arrived after the school reached out for support, answering a need Principal Roxanna Encalada says she saw on campus, for something fun, engaging, and unifying. Today, that vision came to life, as students beat out more than just rhythms, but a new sense of pride and possibility.

 

Roxanna Encalada, Principal, St. Martin De Porres Primary School

“We have a number of students that love to drum. So what we find out during break or during lunch break, they will just be knocking and knocking all around the school compound. So we said maybe, if we reach out to people and ask for some donations for drums, they’re going to be excited to put that skill into practice. And that is the reason that we decided to choose drumming.”

 

The donation has been in the pipeline since 2025, but was finally realized around the time of the hotel’s second anniversary. General Manager Eddison Trapp says the hotel didn’t hesitate to get on board, as the initiative fits squarely with its mission to support Belizean youth and culture.

 

Eddison Trapp, General Manager, Fort George Hotel and Spa

“The school and us felt that it’s more than the instruments. It’s given the kids, them, the avenue to look at discipline, look at structure, look at teamwork. And also for my collection. This is the first opportunity St. Martin School have in terms of a marching band.”

 

Eight new drums and cymbals were donated today, and students couldn’t wait to put them to use. Twelve-year-old Lemar Flowers was among the performers, proudly showing his appreciation for the new instruments.

 

Lemar Flowers, Standard 4 Student, St, Martin’s De Porres Primary School

“My school has never gotten a donation like this before, so I feel very happy that my school got a donation like this, and so I can play drums with my friends and have a lot of fun.”

 

Reporter

“Why do you like playing drums?”

 

Lemar Flowers

“Because it takes out my emotions.”

 

Lemar has been playing the bass drums for nearly six years and is ready to make some serious noise with his friends in the school band.

 

Lemar Flowers

“I don’t really remember, but it was a long time ago, and I played the bass drum. I really liked it, so I just kept on playing and kept on playing.”

 

Reporter

“You don’t find it to heavy for you?”

 

Lemar Flowers

“No, that’s very light.”

 

Trapp notes that the talent is evident and says the hotel is keen to continue partnering with the school to help develop it.

 

Eddison Trapp

“When it was first delivered, the excitement, I was pretty much impressed with what I saw, the drummers coming in just doing a small tune. I was really impressed with that. Because the delivery was done last week. And so for them to quickly address that situation, it was really impressive for me. Not withstanding, we are also looking to have a person come in and teach a kids.”

 

The marching band has not been officially formed yet, however, according to Encalada, the interest from students is overwhelming.

 

Roxanna Encalada

“The interest has been overwhelming and my concern right now is, where will I get more drums? Because we receive an amount today, but we have a lot of students being interested, and to me, that is what brings the joy in my heart. That they have the interest, they want to be part of this band, and they want to create a change for their school and for me, that is priceless.”

 

With enough support, St. Martin de Porres plans to expand the band to other instruments and introduce minorettes. As for now, students are being mentored by a St. Martin’s De Porres alum. Britney Gordon for News Five.