Anne Bethel listens to her son Emma E Cooper third-grader Simeon Bethel perform on the drums during the E Clement Bethel National Arts Festival adjudications on March 2, 2010. (Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture photo/Eric Rose)

MARSH HARBOUR, Abaco - As the E Clement Bethel National Arts Festival entered its second week of adjudications in the Family Islands, parents of participating students voiced their pride in their children and showed support by attending the performances.  

In Palmetto Point, Eleuthera, Anne Bethel, the mother of an Emma E Cooper Primary School student said she was extremely proud of her son and that he enjoyed the preparation and performing process.  

“This was a very exciting experience,” Ms Bethel said on March 2, 2010.  “I had no idea that it was such a serious event until today and I am very proud to have him participate.  The fact that he was selected by the music teacher was inspirational.  I think he did a very good job.”  

Her son, third-grader and drummer Simeon Bethel said he liked taking part in the Festival and enjoyed seeing the smile on his mother’s face as he performed.  

“I felt good and happy because she is my mum,” he said.  

Also in Palmetto Point, at the Central Eleuthera High School, parent Sonia Lewis said seeing her son Cleon Lewis perform in the Festival and getting good scores for both his trumpet playing and drumming made her proud and happy for him.  

“He is doing so well and this is something that he is looking forward to continuing in the future; so I just hope that he does his best,” Mrs Lewis said.  

Seeing all the students perform at the adjudications that day also bodes well for future nation building, she added.  

“This is exciting because this is part of our culture – singing and dancing and playing instruments – and it is good to see them participating and doing their best,” she said.  

Man-O-Way All-Age fifth-grade student Felicia Roberts plays the piano during the E Clement Bethel National Arts Festival adjudications in Central Abaco on March 9, 2010. Her parents Pete and Rebecca Roberts are in the background. (Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture photo/Eric Rose)

In Abaco, on March 9, Pete Roberts and Rebecca Roberts, the parents of Man-O-Way All-Age fifth-grade student Felicia Roberts said they were proud of the accomplishments their daughter achieved taking part in the Festival.  

“I am very proud of her for all she has done,” Mrs Roberts said.  “She got the piece late and she did not have a lot of time to practice; but her piano teacher did wonderful.  She did an excellent job and she did her best.”  

Mr Roberts added, “I am very proud of her and that she steps up to the plate and takes these challenges on and she does very well in them.”  

Treasure Cay Primary student Natalia Sawyer had her father, Mario, playing the keyboard as she sang in the Festival.  He said that he felt great to be a part of her performance.  

“It was an honour and a pleasure to play with her and I want to be an encouragement to her in anything that she wants to do, to let her know that I am a part and I want her to be successful,” Mr Sawyer said.  

“She could do anything she put her mind to do and I am always going to support her.”

Treasure Cay Primary student Natalia Sawyer sings as her father Mario plays the piano for her during the E Clement Bethel National Arts Festival adjudications in Central Abaco on March 9, 2010. (Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture Photo / Eric Rose)