Cream rises to the top at JCDC awards
Published:Sunday | October 17, 2010 | 12:00 AM
Hasani Walters, Gleaner Writer
"When I look at the word excellence, it starts with an 'e' and it ends with an 'e', and excellence starts with hardwork and it ends with hardwork. It starts with commitment and it ends with commitment."
Those were the words of Grace Silvera, executive director of the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC), as she spoke at the Excellence Awards for the Performing Arts held on Thursday at the Knutsford Court Hotel's Caribbean Suite.
Outstanding participation
Schools and groups from various parts of the island were recognised for their outstanding participation in JCDC festivals and received excellence awards which were given for the five areas of the performing arts, namely: traditional folk form, music, drama, dance, and speech. Among the many awardees at the ceremony were Buff Bay High School, Ardenne High School, Liberty Learning Centre, and Queen's Preparatory School.
Guests were entertained by performances from Liberty Learning Centre, which did Ball Room Quadrille. Representatives from Bellamy's Studio did a violin piece, while the Port Antonio Theatre Group did an excerpt from their Negromancy Anancy.
Tivoli High Dance Troupe did a wonderful performance of Minime and a combined performance of the Marcus Garvey Award Salute was done by St Catherine High, Ardenne High, and Tivoli High Dance Troupe.
The Marcus Garvey Award, the most prestigious award presented for the night, was being contested for by five groups: St Jago High, the Port Antonio Theatre Group, Ardenne High, Manning's School, and Cornwall College.
Ardenne High, led by drama teacher Susan Beadle, emerged the winner of the coveted award.
Past Winners of the Marcus Garvey Award are:
- 1994-2001- St Jago High School
- 2002-2003 Clonmel Primary and Junior High
- 2004-Excelsior Community College 2005-2007 - St Jago High School
- 2008-2009-Glenmuir High School.