The old time traditional method of cooking with three fire rocks was demonstrated to students as part of Culture Week 2011 activities at the Elmore Stoutt High School. (Photo Credit: GIS/Mr. Ronnielle Frazer)

Mr. Egbert Donovan one of several honourees for Culture Week 2011 accepts his certificate from Deputy Director of Culture Mrs. Brenda Lettsome Tye for Culture Week 2011. Mr. Hodge is part of the group, ‘The Serenaders Fungi Band’ who continue the tradition of caroling during the Christmas and New Year’s holiday seasons. (Photo Credit: GIS/Mr. Ronnielle Frazer)

At the ceremony, students, visiting guests and honorees sampled flour pap made with fresh local cow milk, observed a straw-plaiting demonstration and witnessed a display which highlighted an old time bed, a potty, a grater, wall decorations and how to cook using three fire rocks, a press release from Government Information Service (GIS) stated.

Persons were also allowed to taste samplings of cultural dishes from the Virgin Islands, Trinidad, Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis and Guyana which were prepared by form four students in the Family and Consumer Science - Food and Nutrition class.

This year’s honorees included Messrs Alred Frett, Ariel Smith, Reynell Frazer, Cecil Turnbull, Aubrey Forbes, Varisse Hodge, Austin Freeman, Egbert Donovan, Kermit “Webb” Frett and Mr. Romeo Cameron.

Mrs. Donna Clyne-Thomas, Assistant Principal with responsibility for pastoral affairs chaired the morning’s ceremony which featured remarks by Minister for Education and Culture Honourable Myron V. Walwyn, Deputy Director of Culture Mrs. Brenda Lettsome Tye and Chairman of the Virgin Islands Fungi Fest Committee Mr. Ariel Smith.

Minister Walwyn in his remarks said, “For all students of this Territory, I would like you to have the knowledge and understanding that to be a Virgin Islander means to have the will to determine your own future. It means taking the little that you have and multiplying it to benefit your family and your entire community.”

He continued, “It is important to me that you, the next generation is firmly rooted in our culture. I believe it is what will help you see the light on dark days, know what is right from wrong and help you understand how valuable you are to your community, and hopefully motivate you to only add to its development and not its destruction.”

The Culture Minister said, “As common as you know the names, Nicki Minaj, Lil Wayne and Vybes Cartel, it is my mission as your Minister for Education and Culture that you can also easily recall the names and contributions of Carlton DeCastro, IG Fonseca, Theodore Faulkner, Lavity Stoutt, Noel Lloyd, Eileen Parsons and the namesake of this institution Mr. Elmore Stoutt”.

He added, “These men and women are but a few examples of Virgin Islanders that were and continue to be firmly rooted in the culture of these islands and have helped us overcome various challenges while celebrating the values of our people.”

Today’s ceremony at ESHS was the first of several school-based activities to be held throughout schools in the Territory for Culture Week which is held annually in November to highlight and showcase Virgin Islands culture. It was first celebrated in 1994 and strives to promote and preserve the Territory’s cultural heritage while bringing attention to areas in the culture which requires special attention.