Students gather around one of their heroines Mrs. Inez Braithwaite. Photo: Reuben Stoby/VINO

Former educator Mr. Elmore Stoutt was one of the persons recognised for his sterling contribution to the development of the Virgin Islands. Photo: VINO

What started out as a Social Studies class project turned out into a grand, memorable and highly informative affair at the Ebenezer Thomas Primary School on February 24, 2012 as Class Five students paid tribute to former educators Mrs. Inez Braithwaite, Ms. Adorothy Turnbull, Mrs. Adel J. Frett, Mr. Elmore Stoutt and writer Mrs. Jennie Wheatley, who were all there to collect their ‘flowers’ and the late Mr. Noel Lloyd.

Various groups from Class Five did separate presentations on their heroes, which were well appreciated by the audience and the heroes there being recognised. Virgin Islands News Online also spoke to some of the Class Five students, who were very proud to share their new knowledge.

Jada Maimehan said she learned that black people stand up for their rights and that Mr. Noel Lloyd was a very patriotic man.

Jessica said the information that got her attention was that Mr. Elmore Stoutt never went to High School but he still became a school teacher and at one time was receiving a salary of $20 a month.

Abdiel Mateo said his favourite person recognised was Mrs. Inez Braithwaite and that he was particulary moved by her words that “everyone can learn no matter if they are young or old or no matter what they are”.

Kaheem Malone, who said he had fun playing the role of the officer that arrested Mr. Noel Lloyd for opposing to the Bates Hill Agreement that would have alienated Wickhams Cay and the island of Anegada for 199 years from locals who would have only been allowed access to those areas except for jobs as servants, note that Mr. Noel Lloyd was a very brave man that led the Positive Action Movement and that he fought for the country.

Class Three student Cipriana Forbes was not part of the project but had the opportunity to look on at the presentation and said she hopes that her class would have such an initiative if not she would be looking forward to it when she gets to Class Five. The heroine and hero that stuck in her head were Mrs. Adorothy Turnbull and Mr. Elmore Stoutt.

Class Five Teacher Ms. Monette Smith admitted that the students were not so excited at first but as they began to do their research the attitude changed. “For example, we spoke with Mrs. Patsy Lake and she was able to show them the exact paper that was published during the time of Noel Lloyd and they got all excited. And as new information was covered they got more and more excited about the topic.”

Ms. Smith said she would like to see the initiative become a regular part of the school’s curriculum. “I see a lot of children need to learn more about our local heroes and we are not preserving their history either.”

According to Principal Sybil Hodge, in celebrating Black History Month, the teachers and students from the Ebenezer Thomas School thought it fitting to acknowledge and recognize the black heroes of our territory as well. Therefore, they selected a number of persons who have contributed greatly to the development of the Virgin Islands over the years.

“It is extremely important that our children understand and commit to memory, the importance of our local heroes who have impacted the lives of their ancestors as well as themselves.”