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From:TheBahamasWeekly.com Bahamas Information Services Updates
Freeport, Grand Bahama - For students Desiree Joseph and Kristoff Strachan of Grand Bahama Catholic High School, a little drama paid of, as they made a strong showing at the E Clement Bethel National Arts Festival Adjudications in Freeport, Grand Bahama on March 9, 2011.
Ms Joseph, a 17-year-old 12th grader, said getting a 94 for her dramatic performance was a wonderful feeling.
“I was very happy, very exited about it,” she said. “Hard work does pay off.”
Ms Joseph added that she was especially happy that their coach and English Language and Literature teacher Leslie Dorsett was there to see the strong performance.
“This is my second year entering the Festival and she was here last time, too; so I am very happy that she supports us in everything that we do.”
Ms Joseph said she was honoured to have a cultural icon such as Mr James Catalyn to come to Freeport to do the adjudication.
“Mr Catalyn is always very hard because he knows what he is talking about; so every score that he gives, you really cannot ague with it,” she said with a smile.
Mr Strachan, a 16-year-old 11th grader, said he was amazed to perform so strongly in his first time entering the Festival. He scored a 93.
“I actually thought it was going to be very nerve-wrecking because I had heard about Mr Catalyn and that he was a strict man and very critical about getting things the right way; but being here is not as bad as I had heard,” Mr Strachan said. “I am pretty ecstatic right now.”
He added that he was happy that his teacher and coach chose the piece for him to perform, as she thought it would be something that would show his talent on stage.
“Thanks for choosing the piece for me because I probably would not have chosen something like that,” he said to Ms Dorsett.
Ms Dorsett said she was “extremely happy” that her students did so well in their performance that day and she pointed out that they practiced “long and hard” to hone their skill.
“We ensured that they got into character,” she said. “We read and re-read; so therefore, I am very, very pleased with their performances.”
Organising Secretary for the Festival Keva Cartwright reminded the performers that it is a national festival and there are still many islands to go through for their score to compare to. However, she encouraged them to be proud of their performances.
“I think that they are doing very well,” she said. “Do not stop; because the only way to perfect anything is to keep at it and you never know where things can carry you.
“As Mr Catalyn said earlier, this kind of thing prepares you for other aspects of your life,” Ms Cartwright added.
“The arts and culture definitely helps students in other aspects of their schooling,” Ms Dorsett said. “It helps them to be more articulate, it helps them with their comprehension – they have actually read the piece and get into the character; so it really helps them.
“I think it helps them build their self-esteem, also, so we encourage as much students as we can to enter. I think we have 16 entrants this year and we encourage as much of them to participate as possible.”
Ms Joseph also wanted to encourage her fellow schoolmates to get involved in cultural expressions because of what it can do for their personal development.
“Come watch us if anything; but if you do not decide to participate, come watch us while we perform,” she said.
“I will talk to some of the 11th graders to see if I can get them involved for next year.”
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