A secondary school in Dominica’s second town has attributed hard work to its success in capturing the title at the inaugural Creole Choral Speech Competition, which took place at the Arawak House of Culture on Tuesday.
Portsmouth Secondary School (PSS) came in the first place, taking home $1,000.
Second place and $500 went to St. Martin Secondary School (SMSS), while the Convent High School (CHS) came in the third position and received EC$300.
Each winning school won trophies and medals for participating students.
A total of seven schools participated in the event. Schools which did not win took home $100.
Teacher at the PSS, Luanne Mitchell, said the competition was a unique challenge for the students because they do not speak the Creole language every day, however, they gave it their best.
“The preparation for the competition was a lot of work, it was tiring, it was overwhelming and I believe the students really gave their best,” Mitchel stated. “Winning is a remarkable reward, just having capturing that title. Wining means hard work really pays off and once you put your mind to something and you don’t give up you will achieve whatever it is.”
The students who participated are from forms 3, 4 and 5.
Chairman of the Konmite pou Etid Kweyol (KEK), which organized the event, Raymond Lawrence said the competition went well.
“Generally I felt it went very well,” he noted. “And I thought all the schools did a wonderful job. They really made a lot of effort.”
He said the competition is one way of preserving the Creole language and it also helps to build a sense of nationality and pride in the students.
Sixteen secondary schools were invited to participate.
Meantime the Garraway Hotel and Dominica’s only local Insurance Company, First Domestic Insurance Company (FDIC) were recognized for their assistance in staging the competition.
Derick Garraway received the award on behalf of the Garraway Hotel and Marketing Manager of FDIC, Bertilia Bethel, received the award on behalf of the company.
Congratulations PSS and the other schools.
Big up P.S.S! Pipo and Ms Mitchell you rock. Team P.S.S we did it! Please don’t be hating. I mean didn’t you guys see ma dominique? Please.! We hold them! Don’t be hating? What is wtong with dancing and singing in creole? Who are the many who were shocked at the results? Give me a break!Lar y bon- did y bon!
Choral Speaking
Vocal Techniques: echoing words and phrases, alternating lines, chants, overlapping lines, repeating lines or words, whispering lines or words, changing tones in mid line, singing, creating sound effects, crying, whistling, clapping or other body percussion, and altering the tempo and rhythm or inserting pauses.
Great Job PSS. Congratulations to the students and the teachers. To “Yes I” If singing and dancing are not part of choral speech then i believe its a great, creative, addition.
Great program. The children did real good. I enjoyed listenning to the compition. What happened to my alma mater – DGS? One suggestion – Next year the MC and all who participate should also speak kweyol all the way. Great job from Felix Henderson as usual.
Creativity is vast and diversed. For PSS to have won the first ever competition trust me they must have got it right on point.
Congratulations to PSS! Hard work does pay off.
I was at that competition the schools performed well and I am proud of them all. However the results were quite a surprise to many. Also the comment by the MC that the a particular school used many phrases of the past, did that have any impact on the judges as well? I was wondering also if dance and singing are part of choral speech. Just wondering.
Choral Speaking
Vocal Techniques: echoing words and phrases, alternating lines, chants, overlapping lines, repeating lines or words, whispering lines or words, changing tones in mid line, singing, creating sound effects, crying, whistling, clapping or other body percussion, and altering the tempo and rhythm or inserting pauses.