The passion and spirit of the island’s youth came alive on Friday as students, from corners of the island, converged on the Windsor Park Sports Stadium to witness and be part of the 2013 National Youth Rally.
Many described it as the best event for the Independence season thus far.
Miss Dominica 2013 Queen Lesslassa Armour-Shillingford, who gave the youth address, called on the young people to get involved in their communities and continue to be dreamers.
“My mission is to have a nation of dreamers devoted to being doers in their community, this country and our world at large,” she stated. “I invite each and every one of you to be a dreamer. Being a dreamer means that you are demonstrating your independence by working together with others to better the community.”
She told the students that they should not use their age as a reason for not attaining success and making a difference in their community.
“We are all too familiar with the statement that children are the future,” she pointed out. “Let us rebuke that statement and say it loud and clear that we are the present, a gift to ourselves and our country and right now we can and will make a difference. Today is the National Youth Rally Day and it is all about us. Join me and let us seize the day, seize the now, let us make the commitment to stare our opportunities in their faces and make the best of them.”
Armour-Shillingford reminded the students to see the beauty in themselves and in each other.
“Be confident in your strengths and celebrate them because of your weaknesses respect and admire others so that the need to be interdependent will be so much more easily achieved,” she said.
Minister for Education Petter Saint Jean admonished the students to take a stand for positivity.
“You need to take a stand for positivism, you need to take a stand for education, take a stand for hard work, for unity, cooperation, and togetherness take a stand for discipline and good conduct,” he pointed out. “Take a stand for being good examples to your peers, take a stand for patriotism and most of all take a stand for you.”
He added that parents should also play a great role in their students life.
“The teachers cannot do it alone,” Saint Jean stated. “You the parents have to take a step up to the plate because without your cooperation and without your continued and unwavering support all the hard work of our teachers here at school might just go in vain. Never stop believing in your children and never cease to make the sacrifices where necessary to ensure that they live up to their fullest potential.”
why wasn’t the prime minister there?
of course he was dere
yes papa I never even see people like dat most less for when sunday come well da is skerrit country buway face cannt touch dat DLP SHALL NOT BE MOVED alllu aint see nothing yet we aint start campaign as yet I warning zor lol labor for sure!!!!! more powder in all face!!
I love my country and it’s youth dearly , it’ s this government and the dictatorship trend it’s taking am afraid of.
why did petter and them force the students to go to the rally? That is a sign of dictatorship. scary
Words that UWP will never embrace;
Fairness
Respect
Integrity
Lawfulness
Positivity
Versatility
Its easy to pick out the same people in all forums on DNO that they every news is POLITICS and theyre using the media to brainwash people into thinking NEGATIVE about life on the island, these UWP polititians on this site know who they are. im asking all Dominicans to make the right decision because when youre power hungry it will lead to your demise. Lennox wanted to overthrow the government of Antigua and he was thrown out he has a bad repute regionwide and internationally for inciting other countries not to invest in dominica.
LACK OF VISION MISTAKEN FOR DREAMS OF A SLEEPING NATION
With all due respect to Ms Dominica, dreams are what they are- thoughts, images, and sensations occurring in a person’s mind while he/she is asleep. It is an experience during sleep, the “contemplation” of the “possibility” of doing [not actually doing it] but a desire to achieving something in the future.
When Dr. King declared he had a dream, he meant a “vision” of what he planned to accomplish for his people through his actions, conduct and sacrifices. . He envisioned that people of all races, class or creed would be free and equal before the law and they would be able to live in peace.
He proclaimed his dream after coming from a peaceful, nonviolent protest in Alabama His dream was based on hard work and plenty sacrifice that his four little children would one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character- that one day, his country would RISE UP and live out the true meaning of its creed.
Martin was not just a “dreamer.” He was fully awake and proclaiming a vision as the outcome of the people’s struggle for freedom, equal rights and justice. He was awake, alert, conscious and actually STANDING UP to the reality of his people faced with abuses of authority and racial discrimination. For Martin and other peaceful protest was a beautiful thing.
It is for this reason that our people must be prepared to deal with our sad political, legal, constitutional, economical, spiritual and social realities and be prepared to deal with the issues that confront us in a practical manner, even while we try to “rise above the politics of personality and give the country leadership that is visionary and which embraces strategic partnership.
The sad thing about Dominica’s reality today is that whenever (which is too often) the administration abuses our laws, violates and disrespects our constitution, our people go to sleep and dream of a better tomorrow. They remain quiet and simply allow it. However, when the people who are awake and who are prepared to stand against such misconduct, the same ones who prefer to remain quiet become hypocritically vocal in attack and call of us to unity and “rise above the politics of personality, while failing to recognize that we need leadership that is visionary.
Yes, we are a small Island state with limited resources and we must unite if we are to bring sustainable development to the country. But we cannot simply allow the repeated violations and breaches of our laws and constitution while we are asleep as dreamers without a clear vision and without the willingness to take practical actions. There must be consequences for the repeated violations of our Constitution.
Roseau Valley wishes all Dominican a Happy 35th anniversary of Independence. We must celebrate our independence in 2013 with a view to building a brighter and better Dominica for all. We hope that this is the last year that we celebrate our Independence with the DLP in power
Respectfully
Roseau Valley
Boy..Dominicans love a politics…Everything in DA is politics….wow..Some of allu pressure must go up!!!
So IF UWP gets elected to form the next Government, who will administer the oath of office of the new PM and the Cabinet? And the other Parliamentarians? Will the current President – who the UWP have publicly said they will NOT respect or honour – be asked to step down? Will the attendance of schools at the National Youth Rally an OPTION? Or will there be a real BOYCOTT? How did Fontaine feel yesterday?
Linton is scared of skerritt, skerritt is scared of Linton. Dominica is “Bottom up.”
where mcps
Leslassa well spoken, your dream may have come true with your family being able to make it happen for you.What about those that their family can’t afford to make it happen for them do they have to keep dreeeeeeeeeeaming all their lives or untill they are able to do it on their own
Leslassa or any other for that matter, are not the reason why those of us, less fortunate, are unable to move forward.
Demand? Children did not come to school but rather went to the stadium. Do you call that demand? To me it was more like choice than demand. I think I know the definition of both words. Youth I am sooooooooooo Proud!
Congratulations Leslassa. I see why you was voted to REPRESENT the Island.
I wish you much SUCCESS. It is not too late to join the race, form your own party, and RUN FOR THE OFFICE OF PRIME MINISTER.
Leslassa, the FUTURE is YOURS, GRAB IT WHILE YOU CAN. I always asked if there was anyone else capable to do the job. THERE YOU HAVE IT PEOPLE.
The NEXT PRIME MINISTER OF DOMINICA – Miss LESLASSA ARMOUR-SHILLINGFORD!
Second FEMALE to be in CHARGE. YOU CAN DO IT, “YES YOU CAN.”
You have the FOLLOWERS, you WILL HAVE THE VOTES. WE NEED CHANGE, YOU CAN BRING IN THE CHANGE. FRESH IDEAS, ALL of the YOUNG PEOPLE WILL SUPPORT YOU.
The YOUNG OVERPOWERS the NOT SO YOUNG.
VOTE FOR LESLASSA ARMOUR-SHILLINGFORD FOR THE NEXT PRIME MINISTER OF DOMINICA!
Form your own party if you have to. If you are already a supporter of either party, IT WOULD NOT MATTER. FRESH IS WHAT DOMINICA NEEDS.
It’s was a great day for Dominica and all Dominicans.
I wont vote for those dreamers anymore,i have eight voters in my family,and we giving it to u.w.p,my kids wont salute the third reich.
last year the kids that were not parading did not have to attend if they did not want to.let them play politics with even the children let them sing the Chinese nation anthem to
the min of education sent a message to the school saying all students must attend the rally weather or not they were part of the parade just to make sure the stadium was filled
So basically in order to get some action someone has to speak out and show some strength in the face of great adversity. If the UWP did not ask for a boycott the teachers and students would not have been given this opportunity to go to the park. For years just a chosen few were allowed. While people see this as a waste of time, I saw it as a great move because it put the govt to work once a again. If Lennox keeps this up he will be able to run the govt from the opposition seat.
St.Thomas ROTC we are proud of you at the youth rally. You all did a great Job.
“Tell Dominicans go to hell” They too foolish, and god detest foolish people.
WEH WEH I VEX WITH MY SELF YOU KNOW WHY? BECAUSE NOBODY MAKE ME BE SPECIAL.After Lennox ask them to consider me and make me fill special they all brush me aside stamp their feet on me and walk over me.Look at the kind of turnout for the youth rally, I even beleive it will be better or just like it on National day.U no wat i’m going to change my name and Lennox stop using my name for ur own personal and political ego u cause me to be so embarass with myself.
An inspirational speech Lesslassa. May I share the following quote:
“All men dream: but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake up in the day to find it was vanity, but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act their dreams with open eyes, to make it possible.”
T.E. Lawrence (Seven Pillars of Wisdom)
when allyou c the crowed on sunday, I want to c if allyou will still cry and say skerrit force people to go to the pack.
The Ministers Government should lead by good example of being repre sentatives of all the people.And not only represent the people that vote for them.That is not Democracy that is not the right lesson to sent to the students. No wonder thes e ministers are treating the young ladies of D.A.as toys.. Civic should be taught in all the schools.Dominicans are so passive they will take what ever is dish out to them even some of those that should know better are speaking false values to the children.How can a Prime Mininster of a country tell the people they are too free and it is none of their damn business where he get his money. Come on people o f D.A. I never heard any of you all who spoke at Rally today admonish That Man. not one of you all. To me all th ose who spoke at that really are prospering under Skerrit and to hell with the poor people. I am ashame of my people. But I know Evil does not last for ever.
Lennoxx and Thompson ask for boycott and Dominicans show them what is boycott when they(DOMINICANS)boycott the Boycott!
Very funny!
Why should we tell our children to be dreamers when you Mr. Skerrit is making it so dificult for our dreams to come true. In that case I don’t wanna wake up and meet you as my prime minister.
Just keep on dreaming! Tell them about it. What is life without a dream? Dream while you work. Work while you dream. Say to yourself, “If only and if only I could and achieve it” and work towards your dream. Many have done that and succeeded. They did not depend on their government.
Im proud too be a Dominician, are you ? All the way with the labour party.
Excellent Rally and advice to the youths. Yes! They are the future – adults – who, one day will take their rightful place in the work force and society. At this moment in their young life, they must be dreamers of whatever they wish to undertake and accomplish to assist them in their adult years. This should be their vision. No work! No gain!
Youths, in cooperation with also your parents, you have heard words of advice and encouragement. You are expected to do your part in society and for yourself, to become as much as you able to accomplish and for your happiness.
Know also you cannot achieve this and successfully so without the help of God. As you pay him homage, loving him and others, you will succeed amidst obstacles, struggles and perseverance. Always be positive! God bless you!
Congrats to our Fireman hero
NO NOT DREAMERS!
I enjoyed listening to Ms Dominica today, especially when she called on us to stand up and be willing to fight for our fundamental human rights. She admonished us to protect what we have before we lose it if we are not vigilant. She reminded us that there are many places in the world where people do not enjoy the freedom that we cherish in Dominica and which the DLP government is desperately trying to take away from us. As I listened to her, I was haunted by the words of our PM, who recently declared in parliament, “Madam Speaker, this country is too free! this country is too free Madam Speaker”.
Whereas we agree with the statement that we must rebuke the saying that the youth is the future and embrace the notion that the youth is the present, a gift to ourselves and our country that ought to contribute and make a significant difference towards the development of the country, it is more difficult the concept of our youth being “dreamers” in our country. I do not agree with Ms. Dominica.
People normally dream while they are asleep and in a vulnerable position to be taken advantage of by those with evil intent. We want our youth to be awake to their reality. We want them to be alert and engaging in conscious and reasoned action, to be in a position to stand up for what is right, stand up to abuses by those in authority and be willing to hold them to account.
We need our youth to be awake to stand up for positivism, to take a stand for their education, to take a stand for hard work rather than accepting handouts from government, for unity in respecting our laws and constitution, to stand up and cal for genuine consultation, cooperation , consensus in reaching amicable resolution on matters of national interest.
We want our youth to promote a spirit of brotherhood and togetherness especially when dealing with matter of national interest. We want our youth to know the source of their rights and stand up to defend these rights when they are threatened by thugs in government.
We want our youth to stand for truth and not lies made on the radio, in parliament or even under oath. We want our youth to stand up for discipline. Yes, our youth must not be dreamers but they must be awake to stand as good examples, even to their elders who for selfish reasons disregard our laws and constitution.
Therefore, if the large turn out at the youth rally today is a stand for love for country and patriotism then yes, I am glad that our young people are willing to take a stand to defend their beloved country against the evil forces from within that are trying to destroy it.
Respectfully
Roseau Valley
PCSS display was the best.. well organized, creative n well executed.. Good job Mr. Baduile n the PCSS teachers
The people who are confessing evil, just remember that the power of life and death is in the tongue. No one can come in authourity if God does not allow it because he alone is supreme. Let us all wait our turn. Some of us want to direct our stars and not allow our stars to lead us to where God destined it to. Becareful your choice of words ppl. If you want your sons and daughters to respect you then teach them to respect those in authority souplay. My prayer for Dominica is that God gives us spiritual eyes and ears and that he opened them. Today i was coming from youth rally with my daughter and a big preacher making a negative comment to me as to why did i send my child to youth rally. hmmmmmmmmm. The answer was at the tip of my tongue but i held it back as it would not have done any of us good. PPl be careful. Let us try to leave life inthe abundance that God gave us and ot try to bring down the neighbout to uplift ourselves. We cannot want to destroy what God has approved, OK BOY!
I don’t see why labourites are so threatened by Lennox Linton. One supporter who is so engrossed by skerrit who even named her daughter after him states that Dominica Labour Party is going to win all 21 seats.Sooooooooooooooooooo why all this uproar? CHANGE IS A MUST NOT AN OPTION!
As an education ministerm the man should be writting his own speeches. He should have made the person who wrote the speech deliver it. Is that what he is teaching the youth? to be copy cats and dreamers. He seems like raw meat. He does not add up to the plate.
You are indeed a Konomono.
Just as you, everyone has a privileged right to his/her opinion. You have no right to criticize them, their preference, their views and actions. Learn something about freedom of speech, free to agree or disagree amicably. 
Dominicans what do we want the good or the bad every stone that roll is politics not even the color red or the color we want to wear come on
Not even the color red or the color blue we want to wear well we must make a DLP cemetery and UWP cemetery the only thing is when we go there we all behave well
Why is your bone dry? Are you writing from the dead?
Overseas, did the Marigot Primary and Secondary School s March today?
yes they did watch the parade on marpin via my computer
Yes DA Soil the Wills Strathmore Stevens School participated in the youth rally today and with distinction too. We had four students who collected awards for primary school athletics and the outstanding female athlete for secondary school one of our former students collected her award. You can finish making your point now.
DNO, Y no pics??
Even though I’m a supporter of the uwp, I still brought my daughter to the youth rally. That all she was talking about for the past week and she’s only two. I don’t think it is right to bring our youth into politics of this magnitude. I no of a lot of other strong supporters of uwp that still made their children attend the rally. If my daughter was to participate in the rally by march passing I definitely would not have made her salute no prime minister called skerro or no president called savarin. Change is a must not an option. Workerssssssss.
you is a papyshow,what you trying to say,you should not have brought her in the first place,then you can talk or write whatever.
@ Jah know star Go and exhale your crap out of the reach of people.The good thing though is that Skerrit is more out than in, so we will restore pride again to the constitution of the land.People like you will stop groveling to Red Clinic and will stop calling Skerrit God. You will be employed and feel proud again to be a Dominican, and not a Skerrit puppet and slave.
Times like that politics should not be any time mention concerning children what we should keep our children from is drugs and the way they are dressing in the public Dominica will always be Dominica every party had their turn but none of them make it do so DLP and UWP are no my enemies so please focus on the many good things we would want for DA and even it was UWP still make it worst they were their before and a whole lot was said wrong about them so politics and religion mess up the nation to many want to be leader when a leader didn’t do good the first don’t you think he is going to do the second time only if is test or exam for school forget it jack
You also sold out yourself and the nation because of your lack of understanding,because it’s about the CONSTITUTION not about Skerrit or Lennox, you have to ask yourself the question do you believe in the Constitution and the rule of law that’s the only question. Like all the others you talk but sit back and do nothing that’s why Skerrit is getting away with things no one does anything .
(@Take it or leave it) But Skerrit brough our children into politics when her made today a holiday just so he could force them to com to the stadium. That’s what you call throwing our children into politics.
Only an ignorant person would think like that.
Jah no star, stay home next time.
Children are innocent. They must not be denied their youth and wishes to attend the Rally, just as baptizing them as soon as possible, teaching them about God, love for him, worship and love and respect for others, adults or children as themselves. If not, what type of children and adults will they become?
Imagine the children’s happiness and enjoyment, fond memories for the future.
Please let me further inform you. I reside in Toronto as some of you are now aware of. Toronto is a multicultural society with Christians, non-Christians, agnostics and atheists, the latter two, some of them were Christians and even practicing Catholics for that matter.
The point: At Christmas, the smaller children and the youths who are not Christians love Christmas. Obviously, they also see the advertisements on TV and in the stores. They also listen to their peers speak of it and of their plans. They want Christmas trees at their home and also Christmas gifts. They will beg their parents for them until their parents give in to them, to please them.
A Muslim, if not one but a few informed me that their children want to celebrate Christmas and at Christmastime they do have a Christmas tree in their home and celebrate it with gifts, all because of their children.
We must never deny children the golden opportunity of this Independence Day celebration. Never advise or consider boycotting it because it is unpatriotic and projects a bad example to the children.
Dominicans must stand up for what is right to do and say. There is no place for partisan politics and such bickering during observation of Independence.
I am pleased to read that, because of you, her mother, your daughter was able to attend the Rally. Consider how disappointed she would have been if she were denied this opportunity. Children will always be children. God bless you and your family.
U R Knots ! are you listening to your self?
@jah know star ,theres a saying that goes like this ,it is better to be thought of as a fool than to open your mouth and prove it, I know you are scared but try to contain your self looser UW pewee
Good for you. Your daughter, at two years old, knows the difference.
Tell Lennox take that.
And take that to the constitution. Thanks Mr Prime Minister for breaking our laws and showing our children its right
You people keep repeating what you hear novices say, only making statements that are so untrue. Breach constitution WHAT? Every time those uwp feel they are wronged, or the constitution breached, they take the matter to court AND LOSE!!!!! As for the speaker allu always calling bias and taking to court and losing, I hope she framing all those judgments she win against those opposition.
Del have u not broken any law in your lifetime? if yes and i beleive u has,then y u want to cast a stone on the prime minister for nt even doing wat u beleive he did.My advice to u is teach ur children to have respect to those in authority and address them base on their position and stop wat u and the rest are doing.
@Jbfox What is it that you are giving to Lennox? The Prime Ministership of Dominica? Well you are late Papa. We know he will get it soon, but thanks for being so generous, and thanks for knowing that Skerrit is too arrogant,lazy and insultive to be a PM.
Thanks to him, during his tenure you are able to enjoy the Windsor Park Sports Stadium and other completed projects with more to come which have made Dominica a more beautiful country and site and to visit as well. Be grateful and appreciative. You lack these two.
shut ur taaaailllll
There were several empty stands. They tries to fill up 2. Freenice is worriness. If it was a profit making event, there would have been a 2 million dollar loss.
on Monday
castle Bruce Secondary you took it with that display
If we only going to be a nation of dreamers my god the country will remain a sleeping giant . We need more make-it-happen and realist . Not dreamers . keep on dreaming Les .
Maybe you should have listened to the whole speech before you come and critique!
thats only wat they there for is to criticize
You lack broadmindedness. What is life without a dream and a few of them?
Stay in your dream. I do not think anyone wants to be in your dream.
oh what a glorious day it was at this grand national youth rally.
the buzzzz around dominica is that DOMINICANS BOYCOTTED THE BOYCOTT BY the tens of thousands.
Oh what a massive show of pride in nation and love for country.
après bondieu cet latere.
for ward we going……..
Oh you buffoon. Go get some National Pride.Do you even know the meaning of independence?
Stuppessss
Do you? You need to learn about it.
Lenox should invest in dictionary to distribute to all his supporters because the people that support the uwp and their garbage needs help. You all are not too bright.
Do you know the meaning of buffoon? Your anger and frustration seem to be getting the better of you because the youth of Dominica took a stand against “sotness.” Chill, my boy! When Boycotters Anonymous have their AGM just vote the present board out! Lol.
buffong is allu biggest supporter so whats ur point blue sigatokah look people papa more on sunday 21 seats.
Did you believe it was correct for the minister of education on behalf of PM Skerrit to order school close and all children report to parade and if they dont their would be penalies for them and you saying that’s how your child should view the world well while you are at it tell them that corruption is also a good thing.
What about the 16,000 empty seats. Were they contaminated?
The parade was even better attended than last year. More exciting and much better. Great job students, teachersand fellow Dominicans
Thanks be to God who inspired them to attend and reject lack of patriotism, disobedience and stubbornness which highly offend him.
Yes because last year and a few years back it was only the classes that were drilling who was supposed to attend. This year Skerrit had to summon all Government schools whether the classes are drilling or not. So what do you expect. The Prime Minister FAILED. You mean he had to do all that to get students in the park? The is pure rubbish. This mean he is responding to Lennox call. What a little boy he is under Lennox and the UWP. I am disappointed in this man.
Yes, because there was a mandate and demand. Is that how we going to do it now?
Great job Leslassa.
On both sides did you all really expect the stadium to be empty. I think a number of ppl adhered to the call for a boycott and did not send their children to the parade. On the other hand, children and adults would show up for the parade just to support their party. If they do not show up it is going to look like DLP is losing popularity. Happy Independence to one and all.
O my God this rally was supper?
Supper is in the evening; breakfast is in the morning. What time was it?
Very funny. Lol
this is so funny
Time to have whichever you prefer at whatever time. GO IHOP!
Go back to Grade K with that horrible grammar!
We know what you meant: “super and/or superb!”
Laborites are proud of their stupidity. God help us in Dominica.
Excellent Dominica..I am proud of our Youths.
Look at children,nice
Boom inn your face
Yes, your plywood inn is booming.
Do you have a concrete one, or is it on the way?
So proud of this young lady. Fabulous message!
Let us be Dreamers!
Dreams do come true.
That’s all a great speech…be dreamers and what next? Wake up to the hard reality that what u dreamt is not real at all!
The prime minister should learn to earn respect and not to demand it ,he is demanding that the young people should come and salute him,but he should be demanding that when they leave school ,jobs would be available for them,
young people, open your eyes ,with skeritt, your future is dim and doom
that is not true. No one was forced to attend the rally. schools selected the best and the rest were free to come or not.Did you hear the shout of cheers when the PM walked in. Teachers did not tell them to do that
You must learn to respect authority. If you are a Christian and a practicing one at that, go to St. Paul’s writings as inspired by the Holy Spirit and read what he stated about obeying authority. If you say you go by the Bible then practice it!
God is not amused with you who do not practice what is contained in it. You cannot please God or appease him with that disobedient and stubborn streak in you. You must change!
You make no damn sense. What rock did you crawl out under. STUPID
@truth can you give one example of a country that have ever created jobs for every citizen? and is this PM the only one you’ve seen being saluted by the youth? None sense! you sound like an Idiot.
UR name isnt wat u beleive u are.The truth is and u know well that the prime minister will not be able to to creat a job for every person that leave school.not even Lennox as pm will b able,but the Prime minister is ensuring that he prepare them by giving them the most important tool one require to obtain a job and thats is Educating them,with that tool they can help themselves to create job for their own self.What i think we should tell the young people is to grab every oppotunity that is available and to capitalize on it so one day they’ll get the benefit of it.In my opinion i dont think any leader of any country is not happy wen its people are not employ.So dont give the young people the impression that Skerrit does not care about them and not making jobs available for them,thats not the truth.
Antigua were great dominica was greater so get loss