Children from preparatory and junior schools showcased their talents in dances, songs, verses, and plays at the Carib Theatre during the annual concert marking the beginning of Child Month in 1964. Governor-General Sir Clifford Campbell and Lady Campbell crowned Horace Mesquita and Debra Keise as the King and Queen of May from St Ann’s Infant School, for their exemplary behaviour.

Published Saturday, May 2, 1964

King, Queen of May crowned

Preparatory and junior school children entertained with dance and song, with verses and plays, at the annual concert marking the beginning of Child Month 1964, at the Carib Theatre yesterday.

Their Excellencies,  Governor-General Sir Clifford Campbell and Lady Campbell, crowned the King and Queen of May.

This year’s selectees, chosen for good behaviour, were Horace Mesquita and Debra Keise, six-year-old pupils of St Ann’s Infant School.

Winners are chosen for good behaviour each year, in rotation from the schools participating in the islandwide concert. Taking part in this year’s effort, the 33rd since 1949, were schools from the Corporate Area. Montego Bay, Falmouth Lucea, Spanish Town and Port Royal.

Sir Clifford, in crowning King Horace, urged him to maintain throughout his life the behaviour which had brought him this year’s honour.

Lady Campbell told May Queen Debbie: May you grow with the dignity of a queen and be a credit to yourself, your parents and your teachers, and to Jamaica.”

The mood of the concert was set by the 28-piece Jamaica Military Band, conducted by Bandmaster Cecil Warren, with a lively version of Walt Disney’s Fantasia. This was followed by a series of nursery rhymes, which the entire audience sang along with the band.

The grand finale was the coronation ceremony featuring the pupils of St Ann’s Infant School.

In the audience also were the Hon Esme Grant. parliamentary secretary to the Ministry of Education, and  Cecil B. Facey, of the Child Month committee, who received from Lady Campbell a cheque representing money collected by schoolchildren for the ‘Save the Children’ fund.

Presentations were made to Sir Clifford and Lady Campbell. A basket of flowers was presented by Donna Reid to Lady Campbell, and a buttonhole for Sir Clifford, by Vivienne McKenzie.

The concert was supervised by Mrs H.H. Webster, education officer, Infant Training, Ministry of Education, and the chairman was Mr E.C. Cousins, also of the Ministry of Education.

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