Adventist School Choir in Guyana Secures Regional Championship Win
In Guyana, the Georgetown Seventh-day Adventist Academy emerged victorious over the five other participating primary schools in the 2024 Regional Mashramani Competition on February 1, 2024.
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Teacher Shondell Blackett and the choir members from Georgetown Seventh-day Adventist Academy celebrated their victory in the 2024 Regional Mashramani Competition on February 1, 2024. Adorned with medals, each choir member was acknowledged for their dedication and commitment. Image courtesy of GSDAA.
In Guyana, the Georgetown Seventh-day Adventist Academy emerged victorious over the five other participating primary schools in the 2024 Regional Mashramani Competition on February 1, 2024.
The win is no small feat for the school having participated in the cultural festival for the first time. “People in Guyana look for a school whose participation helps them stand out from among the many,” said the Principal of the school Bondell Campbell. “This win helps to build the morale of the school since it had been on the news in Guyana.”
Other schools have dominated the local competition that is held annually in celebration of Guyana becoming a Republic. “This year we decided to participate to manifest to the world through this event that we believe in the Bible, in the Word of God and God can do wonders,” the principal stated.
Under the skilled guidance of Mrs. Shondell Blackett, Choir Director, the students poured their hearts and souls into their performance, leaving a lasting impression on the judges and spectators alike with the religious song “Stranger” by Donald Lawrence. With harmonious melodies and synchronized movements, they captivated the audience and earned the admiration of their peers.
Choir members poured their hearts and souls into their performance, earning the confidence of the judges and leaving a lasting impression on spectators with their rendition of the religious song "Stranger" by Donald Lawrence. Image courtesy of GSDAA.
“The children were super excited when they heard we won,” said the choir director. “We formed a circle and prayed to thank God for the victory. We are hoping that this act will be a witness for the choir. It has placed the school on the map in Guyana and the school is winning.”
Education Director of the Caribbean Union Conference Dr. Daphney Magloire shared her enthusiasm for the win, “This is historic and important for the Adventist School because it makes the existence of a Seventh-day Adventist school visible,” she commented.
The Academy began in 2018 and now boasts of an enrollment of 135 primary and 45 nursery students. This year the school is for the first time celebrating the seventeen students who will be writing the national entrance exam that qualifies them for entry into secondary education. “We are working on finding space for those who would want to continue with us into secondary education, said the principal.
As the results were announced, elation filled the air as Georgetown Seventh-day Adventist Academy was crowned the regional champion. Each choir member was adorned with a gleaming medal, symbolizing their dedication and commitment. Furthermore, the Academy proudly accepted the coveted first-place trophy, a signature of their exceptional talent and hard work. “We thank God for this remarkable milestone,” expressed the principal. “With this victory, the Georgetown Seventh-day Adventist Academy now sets its sights on the National level, and is prepared to represent its region with pride and excellence.”
The school choir members proudly accepted the coveted first-place trophy, having won the regional competition. Image courtesy of GSDAA
“The restoration of Adventist Education within our domain after several decades has satisfyingly piqued the interest of a wide cross-section of society, said Pastor Carolyn Brandon, Education Director for the Guyana Conference. “The Georgetown Seventh-day Adventists Academy’s (GSDAA) recent involvement in the country’s Mashramani Choir Competition has created an atmosphere that fosters an opportunity for the publicizing of the school in a positive light. Additionally, it creates exposure for the children and the school population to be attuned with their patriotism since such participation brings to the children an awareness of this national event and all that it entails. Further, their involvement allows for the holistic development of the children, for these events are attended by many and see varying facets and levels of competition.”
Congratulations resound throughout the Seventh-day Adventist community in Guyana and the rest of the Caribbean Union Conference as the academy celebrates this momentous occasion.
In the 1970s, the Guyanese government nationalized education, taking over the private schools. This included the 10 Adventist campuses in the country. In 2018, Maranatha Volunteers completed a new school campus in Georgetown to fulfill a desperate desire to provide Adventist education. This is the first school in Guyana to be officially operated by the Adventist Church in more than 40 years. Since then, enrollment has increased steadily. The campus also offers after-school care and in addition to their regular classes, students are involved in gardening, athletics, choir, and community outreach activities.