By ROBYN ADDERLEY
FREEPORT, Grand Bahama, May 25, 2023 (BIS) – Students representing all schools in Grand Bahama joined in the celebration of 50th anniversary of Independence on Wednesday, May 24, with a march and rally, from the Ministry for Grand Bahama to Open Park in downtown Freeport.
Accompanied by the marching bands of the Royal Bahamas Police Force and the Royal Bahamas Defence Force, hundreds of students arrived at the rally site excited to participate in the scheduled festivities.
The event was held under the theme “A Golden Jubilee Spectacular Parade and Rally” and was filled with performances by the students doing a poem including representatives from all schools on the island covering every major island.
The Hon. Zane Lightbourne, Minister of State in the Ministry of Education and Technical and Vocational Training, got the students involved by having them wave their flags and yell “Bahamas” whenever he said “242”.
Minister Lightbourne noted that the participation of the students in the march and rally proves that “we are doing something right,” adding, “No matter what is said, this is still the greatest little country anywhere on this planet.”
He said he was proud to be Bahamian just being at the rally seeing hundreds of students waving their flags. “I am proud.”
“Parents, you continue to be involved in our students lives because the formula for their success and the success of our educational system lie within our young people having parents and teachers work together to make them great and to maximize their potential,” Minister Lightbourne said.
He pointed out that The Bahamas is doing exceptionally well internationally when compared to other countries per capita. The islands and people make the country recognized around the world as a beautiful place. It has the best food, best athletes.
In closing, he urged the students to be “all that you can be and be the kind of leader that can take our country to the next level.”
The Royal Bahamas Police Force and the Royal Bahamas Defence Force then performed for the students, taking the opportunity to engage the students encouraging them to dance with them. Following the rally, students were treated to lunch from KFC, Wendy’s and Marco’s Pizza, courtesy of the Grand Bahama Port Authority.
