2012: Ambergris Caye: High School Student Eats Fire at Yesterday’s Youth Rall
Yesterday 440 San Pedro High School students gathered in the Angel Nunez Auditorium for a Youth Rally. Four motivational speakers, 2 hours, lots of rowdy high schoolers restless with graduation so close…I didn’t know what to expect. I arrived early to DJed blasting the music of Rihanna and Pitbull…I had a good feeling about this event.
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The event was for the high school students but these three younger kids were there to receive their awards from “Be Kind Belize”. They were nominated by their primary schools for the Kindest Kid in San Pedro Award (ages 6 to 10). Here are the winning Kindness Ambassadors. Kids who put others before themselves, who respect their teachers, their friends and the environment (though the competition is over, read the nominations, you’ll tear right up). Seriously cute and so nervous to stand on stage in front of the high school and receive their prizes!
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The first speaker, Consuelo Kickbusch, a retired Lt. Colonel in the US army limped to the stage. She whipped out her X-Ray to show the kids that she had recently been hurt but that she was here in Belize because they matter to her.
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She was a very tough act to follow. But Roy Juarez Jr spoke next about life as a homeless teenager abandoned by a mother who herself was on the run from an abusive ex-husband. His message? Education is the key.
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Last presenter was Mr. Bert Oliva. His mantra? Live crazy. Live life, don’t let life live you. The kids seemed to embrace the idea of living crazy. Mr. Oliva said that he was going to call an adult up on stage to do something really crazy to hammer home the point. Someone came up on stage and whispered to him…”we can now take a student volunteer, it has been approved”.
One girl was chosen…chosen to swallow fire. Her nerves definitely started to grow as Bert demonstrated. He dipped the wand in some sort of kerosene and lit it. (Her look says it all…)
Even the Minister was transfixed.
This was the real deal…
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I am not embarrassed to tell you…I am not usually a “self help” person. But each and every presentation and the kids’ reactions were very moving. Very inspiring. I was drinking the Kool-Aid. Sure some of this stuff might be seen as cliche, but it is cliche for a reason. This event was FANTASTIC. Congratulations to everyone who was involved
You simply MUST click here to read the rest of this fabulous article and see lots more great photos on San Pedro Scoop
MAY