Hundreds of students from schools that encompass the length and breath of Dominica gathered with scores of onlookers in the Windsor Park Stadium on Friday for the annual National Youth Rally where the pride of the nation’s youth shone in abundance – celebrating 32 years of independence.
Graced with the presence of Prime Minster Roosevelt Skerrit, the proceedings kicked off with praise and quickly moved into a wealth of honors to nationhood.
Mayor of Roseau Cecil Joseph lauded the turnout and preached of national pride and service.
Minister of Education and Human Resource Development Peter Saint-Jean supported the mayor’s call.
“You are tomorrow’s leaders,” he said to the predominantly young crowd.
An address by Dillon Simon, this year’s all-around outstanding young person, encouraged the youth gathering to maximize every opportunity. “Be committed and driven,” he said. “Take advantage of opportunities, especially academically. Opportunities are all around us. They will never cease to exist.”
The day was also filled with a wealth of talent displays both in music and dance, with students of the Portsmouth Secondary School performing an exceptionally executed dance routine.
HONORS
Individual and group honors were handed out in the areas of academics and sports.
For academics – Liam K.P. Rolle was awarded the honor of 2010 Top CXC/CSEC performer with an achievement of 9 grade ones at the last regional exam sitting. Karynicia Joseph and Yende A.J. Grell followed him with eight grade 1s and two grade 2s, each. Three students were also honored with GSAT Awards. The minister of education presented the awards.
In the area of sports –primary school category, Chelsea Lawrence copped the prize for most outstanding female in the North East District, and Evander Dupuis was recognized in the male category, representing the North District.
District male and female champions were both from the North East District.
Secondary School Independence Athletics Championships honors, in the most outstanding female category, went to Luan Gabriel from the Isaiah Thomas Secondary School who secured four gold medals and a silver medal in both track and field events.
Ajani Reefe of North East Comprehensive was the most outstanding male with four gold medals.
North East Comprehensive also copped the title of Champion School –Male and Champion District –Female. Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Justina Charles presented the awards.
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mahaut was very greattttttttttttttttttt
ITSS is truly amazing, that perfomance was incredible, n i know the honourables are very proud of their school…..great job!!!!
@SIR PAUL: i doe find ner….. u dun see grammar skool man padna… they too deadly tell gss go n take a rest!
@SIR PAUL: i doe find na! DGS n dere ushersssss!! no practice n omg they were gud! all dem haterz keep hatin cuz datz wat make us shine!
i doe find
Dgs usherss lookin sharp!! reppin hard DGS FUH LIFE
@Anonymous: make a sensible comment like marigot people. guess you are unable to do . stupeeesssssss
I have to say thank you to the ministry of education for giving all the schools in Dominica the opportunity to participate in the youth rally.I remember as a child only the Roseau schools that were included in the parade. I have taken great pleasure looking at the still pic
PS S is the best! Forward Ever Backward Never, Go PSS u’ve got talents and great minds. I’ll always love u my alma mater, moving in pride and dignity!
My apologies eyes wide open just thought it was a case of error in the last name, Nothing personal. Hope my apology is accepted. I love NECS so I would never rob a sister of her acolades. Chelsea Lawrence my apologies, Thumbs up to you on an outstanding performance. This is from the heart.
am looking at your all and am seeing that all of you all are the best am happy to see how the kids and the people of dominica doing there thing all i have to say is take good care in what you all do and GOD bless all dominican one love to you all looking goooooooood
@DUANE: WHOEVER YOU ARE DUANE GET YOUR FACTS STRAIGHT. NOTH RESPECT TO THE STUDENTS AND STAFF OF ITSS. WE DESERVE THE BEST AND WE EARNED IT.EVERY SCHOOL HAS THEIR PROBLEM BUT WE AT THE ITSS DWELL ON THE POSITIVE AND NOT THE NEGATIVE. I HOPE THAT YOU ARE NOT THE ONE GIVING THE STUDENTS THE DRUGS. I WILL MAKE THE POLICE TAKE YOU INSIDE. DID YOU SEE OUR MATCH PAST ON FRIDAY? THE STUDENTS WERE EXCEPTIONAL. DON’T BE A HATER!
@Concerned lover of Dominica: everything id upside down, they clearing that week for WCMF. Those of us not interested in WCMF just have to sit and do nothing. So long National day of Prayer pass, they just changing dates, changing dates, and it makes no sense. I usually take the kids to see both parades, this year some of them in school. Nonsense that. Turn everything commercial and see how far it takes us.
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOO p.s.s WE WASNT EASY WIT OUR DANCE ROUTINE WHOA SO PROUD
@SIR PAUL: Agreed
@duane….all schools has their ups and downs…it’s just that i.t.s.s is one of those who’s flaws are out in the public while the rest are as we say “undercover”…When a school performs well, we should give them their bouquets, just like when they do something out of the way we are quick to give them their brickbats…I.T.S.S performed well at the youth rally with the creative matching…BOUQUETS TO I.T.S.S ON THEIR PERFORMANCE…
SO BECOZ SOME STUDENTS WENT TO THE “YOUTH” RALLY THEY ARE GOIN TO SUSPEND THE STUDENTZ WHO DIDN ATTEND? THAT DONT MAKE NO SENSE ! IT WAS A YOUTH RALLY HOW CUD DEY EXPECT TO HAVE SCHOOL ON THAT DAY????…….WHEN IT HAD TEACHER’S RALLY THEY WENT, THEY DIDN HAVE SCHOOL. HMMM MAY GOD BLESS THE WICKED !
I wish one of the education officers or the Minister would answer this question. WHO IS THE YOUTH RALLY FOR? IS IT FOR THE MINISTER OF EDUCATION, THE PRIME MINISTER AND OTHER MINISTERS OR FOR THE YOUTH OF THE COUNTRY? Why is it that on the day of the youth rally children are at school. It has been a tradition and culture if Dominica that on that the the children are allowed the chance to go see the talents of the youth and support the school. Now lately youth rally is a school day. What sense does this make?
Congratulations to all the youth on this your special day you should be very proud of yourselves, schools, villages, and most of all your island DOMINICA, continue to make us proud by doing the right thing always.
And remember without GOD it is impossible to complish your goals
COULIBISTRIE PRIMARY SCHOOL WAS THE BEST ON WEST COAST.
GOODWILL SECONDARY SCHOOL ALWAYS THE BEST FOR 18 YEARS ,EVERY YEAR GOODWILL SECONDARY SCHOOL AND GOODWILL PRIMARY SCHOOL ROCKS THE PARK. ITS IN THE HISTORY OF THE SCHOOLS ,THEY ARE ALWAYS THE BEST, WHAT SCHOOL IN DOMINCA CAN DRILL LIKE GSS AND GPS.
ITSS CAN NEVER BE THE BEST, THE BEST IN FIGHTING EVERY OTHER DAY , STAFF MAKING NOICE ,DRUGS IN THE CLASS ROOM.
WHEN THIS SCHOOL RESPECT OTHER IT WILL BE THE BEST
Go N.E.C.S and Wesley Primary School
@sunshinegual: chelsea lawrence representing wesley primary school dont get it twisted peeps
@sunshinegual: “Way to go in blowing somebody’s high, you should know that Chelsea Lawrence is from the North Eat as well, there was no need for your correction, So what anyway, Chelsea Linton has made her name already, and deserves her respect, GIVE ‘CHELSEA LAWRENCE’ A BREAK, she’s just begun he run as well, there’s no need for jealously. She from the North East, there was a slight mistake in Village positioning, forget it and leave Chelsea Lawrence let her earn her medals and respect as well. This coming from someone who has been at her side and supported for all her years and also a good friend of ‘Karessah’!
Why was the National Youth Rally held in October rather than the usual November?
Congratulations to all who played a part in this spectacular.
Hats off to these young Dominicans who made us all proud.
It is right and proper to refer to the youths as the present and future leaders of the nation. When they are told that they are the future this and that, it bred a spirit of lack of ownership and regard to the matters of state. it is high time that the youths are empowered and inspired – not only by words- to become well rounded citizens of the Commonwealth of Dominica. We can’t wait till they are 30, 40 and so on for them to take up their rightful places in society. If we wait to empower the youth when they grow older well well well the many issues that blatantly affect the leadership landscape of the world will infect them before they know it… Its a world where square pegs are placed in round holes… if people are not trained adequately……………………. and them given positions of importance …..
So the Youths are the present and future leaders of the Country! Pepper them with that new line next time.
C ongrats to the I.T.S.S for their spectuacular performance in this years youth rally. I really enjoyed the display that was brought forward. It was beautifully executed. Also shout out to the Portsmouth secondary school for their choreography. This goes to show that Dominica has a lot of talent,
I must commend all of the primary and secondary school for their participation and making this national event a success
representing
@sunshinegual: Dam you Marigot people miserable!!
While the news item says Chelsea Lawrence we of Marigot are very aware that the student of the NECS is Chelsea Linton Dominica’s female athlete 2009 and 2010. Just a simply point of correction. On this note i wish to applaud the young persons of Dominica for a spectular performance during the Youth Rally inspite of the fact that Youth Officer Gregory Riviere aka. karessah of Marigot was prevented or I dare say robbbed of an opportunity to host the activity. Doh dig noting Greg. just remember Afu mi Afu you afu all awi noh make y barl noh mek e fall de lan afu awe all.. ain’t no stopping us now. To the many awardees Thumbs up. Special recognition to the Nortn Eastern Comprehensive’s Ajani and Chelsea. Keep reaching for the stars. Were on the move, Ain’t no stopping us now.
Go I.T.S.S! we’re the best!
lovely mahaut aswel
go itss u rock
congrats ITSS..your performance was incredible..liked what i saw a lot
true