Pond Island:--- TelEm Group customers and staff were greeted to the heavenly sounds of youth voices and instruments when they entered the company’s main building on Pond Island, Friday morning.
The sounds were coming from the talented music students and teachers of five public schools, who come out each year around this time to spotlight their varied talents and bring some Christmas cheer to the St. Maarten Community.
The Schools represented were: Genevieve de Weever, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Leonard Connor, Prince Willem Alexander and Ruby Labega.
According to one of the program coordinators, Mrs. Rosemary Marsham-Hodge, TelEm Group is one of the first stops of the students each year, because they are always well received and they enjoy interacting with company personnel and members of the public.
This year’s program included, a duet of “Give love on Christmas Day”, a musical solo, a recital of The Christmas Story by 4th grade student at the Leonard Connor High School, Shellie Rogers, and ended with a group caroling session before students, teachers and instruments move on to another location for the day.
Mrs. Marsham-Hodge said that in total, the students spent two days visiting different businesses and organizations, including the Harbour, The Senior Citizen’s Home in Hope Estate, the Windward Islands Bank and the Royal Caribbean Bank.
This year both TelEm Staff and customers started an impromptu collection while the students performed as a donation towards the purchase of musical instruments and equipment.
“Our students had a great time at TelEm and always look forward to visiting each year. We were well received and we are very grateful to everyone, management and staff of TelEm,” said Mrs. Marsham-Hodge.
She said the visit has given inspiration and encouragement to the students as they prepare for their end-of-year concert to wrap up the school term. This year they are working on a unique collaboration with the Sports Department, who also have an end of year program so that the two can combine sports with music for a refreshing change.
“We call ourselves the Music Enhancement Committee (MEC), and we not only want to showcase the talents of our youth and teachers by spreading the good cheer of Christmas, but also by taking music into the general community for all to enjoy,” said Mr. Marsham-Hodge.
She said the program is the brainchild of Director of Public Education, Ms. Glenda David Holiday, who continues to support it by her attendance and encouragement to the music students and teachers.
TelEm Group CEO, Mr. Kendall Dupersoy, says the youth program has his total support noting that the company doors will always be open to the students and their teachers to share their Christmas joy with staff and customers.
“I’ve heard what they can do as a group and as individuals and I would like to personally congratulate each one of them and their teachers and coordinators for a job really well done,” said Mr. Dupersoy.
http://www.smn-news.com/st-maarten-st-martin-news/30762-public-schools-impress-with-xmas-concert-for-telem-group-staff-and-customers.html
