Spanish Day at Woodbrook Secondary School was a wonderful affair organised by the students and with some of the Interactors in full force. Sunshine and cool breeze wafting among the assembly of all the students, teachers and guests, was the setting in the decorated concrete quadrangle.

 

The students were clearly in charge of the programme, and our hosts, Kamla Holder and Jameel John, impressed us with their professionalism, ease with the Spanish language and joie de vivre.

 

The Principal, Ms. Renee Ramdial, welcomed us all and especially the ambassadors from our neighbouring Spanish-speaking countries, with big smiles. The atmosphere was relaxed and happy, as if among family.

 

Formal greetings from the Ministry of Education came from the school Supervisor 111, Mr. Lawrence Hunte. He spoke of Spanish being our second language and the plans for greater engagement in Spanish culture in our schools, and commended Woodbrook Secondary on its initiatives.

 

 

Showing Spanish in our society was the intention of the programme planned by the students, of Spanish dance, song, drama and poetry. The school choir became paranderos as they swayed to “ La Promesa”. The audience was thrilled by the music that followed each speaker.

 

The first address was by His Excellency Ambassador of Colombia, His Excellency William Sidney Bush Howard, who spoke of the connection between his country and ours and of the role language plays in maintaining great interaction with the learning activities in the schools. After each speaker, a student dressed in the traditional outfit of the country presented a token to the speaker. The audience was entranced by all there was to learn, even as they enjoyed the entertainment.

 

Steelband music had pride of place as Cianna Peters played ‘Vivir Mi Vida’. A bevy of students dressed in red and white Spanish wear danced the salsa, which was loved by the students, who shared that they were about to start a Salsa Club.

The youthful and fun-loving Third Secretary of Diplomatic and Consular Career of the Embassy of the Republic of Panama spoke of the part the people of the Caribbean played in the development of Panama and of the continued interaction through projects that included schools.

 

 

Spanish language and Literature was the focus with the poem ‘En La Escuela’ by the famous Gabriela Mistral of Chile, which was rendered in fine style by Jahzara Lewis and Janiya Nedd. Excitement followed with a live bull fight, reminiscent ot the real bull fighting in Spain and Latin America. The music of ‘Corrido de Torros’ and in came the bullfighter, teacher Mr Lyder, swinging his red cape and parading his weapon and his skills to the cheering audience. In rushed the bull, with huge shining horns.

 

The students yelled as they dressed in black. Jasani Daniel came closer and closer to impaling the bullfighter. It all ended well with the bullfighter stabbing with his long sword, and celebrating and swishing his red capes in victory at the faces of the students.

 

His Excellency Ambassador of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Álvaro Sánchez Cordero, was just in time to witness the victory. He had come from an important UN meeting, but came as soon as he could, for he did not intend to miss this Spanish Day event at Woodbrook Secondary. He reminded us of the enduring linkages between both countries from time immemorial. He spoke of the current activities with this school and in other schools to encourage the learning of Spanish.