Dawson House dominating one of the many races at yesterday's sports meet. The sack race is well known for its excitement.

This Cleave Farrington photograph captured Daniel "Pops" Cline looking confident as he led the race in front of his competitor 1st District Rep. Andrew Fahie. However, Cline mistook the finish line for a cone and lost the race to Fahie.

Yesterday March 12, 2012, the grand sports meet which was held in the school’s yard saw a highly competitive meet between Dawson House and Rhymer House – Dawson House fighting to make it a hat trick and Rhymer House pressured to stop the winning streak. In the end, after a “tit for tat” meet, it was Dawson House who held on to victory with 255 points. Rhymer’s battled hard but was only able to secure 221 points.

The day was filled with entertainment in the Cane Garden Bay community with several exciting races ran, and supporters cheering for their respective Houses. However, the most electrifying race of the day was one between Master of Ceremonies Daniel “Pops” Cline and 1st District Representative and former education minister Hon. Andrew Fahie.

The exciting race between the two created bellyfuls of laughter as they took off with a sprint from the starting line with Cline leading the way. However, Cline mistook the finish line for a cone while Fahie continued to the official finish line “the rope” and technically won the race.

Minister for Education and Culture Hon. Myron Walwyn was also present at the sports meet and was seen interacting with the children and community.

Principal of the Ivan Dawson Primary School Mrs. G. Helen Penn told Virgin Islands News Online that the school continued the tradition of celebrating Commonwealth Day for the children.

“Commonwealth Day is a day set aside … for the children of the Commonwealth. We at Ivan Dawson Primary School have decided to celebrate Commonwealth Day. Most of the schools would celebrate on the Friday or the Saturday but today being a holiday, they would want their holiday. The reason for the Commonwealth is for all the children of the Commonwealth Day to get together as one to remember the day set aside for them regardless of race, colour or creed so we have held on to the tradition from years ago,” she explained.

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The Principal further explained that Commonwealth Day was Empire Day, and as a child she recalled the day had fun memories. "And we want our children here to hold on to it and have good lasting memories."

Noting that the school is a community-minded one, she took the opportunity to thank all those who have supported the school and its event and helped to make it a success.

He noted that the late Ivan Dawson was his God father and he had spent many summers in Cane Garden Bay with him at the Ever Green shop and created a bond with the people in the community.

“I just came over to be a part of the school’s event and continue to support the children so that they know you are interested in them, not politically but as a human being and want to see them do good,” he said.