Young people in Anguilla are marking what would have been the 100th birthday of the island’s first chief minister, the late James Ronald Webster, with a series of activities.
The Department of Education is leading the celebrations which include fact sharing sessions, a birthday card design competition and a parade on 24 February.
Sandra Fahie, the department’s education officer for curriculum, shared details of the programme during a government press conference on 9 February.
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“He’s no longer here with us, but if he were, Anguilla’s children and the Department of Education would be celebrating with him,” she said.
Schools are already participating in the ‘Do You Know’ series, sharing daily facts about Webster and his contributions to the island’s development.
Students have also been reading the first chief minister’s final message to the people of Anguilla and discussing its contents.
In addition, a birthday card design competition is underway, with primary students submitting handmade designs and secondary students creating digital entries.
Finally, a parade will take place on Tuesday, 24 February, beginning at 9.15am. All students from public and private schools are expected to participate.
Each school will be represented by a flag or sign, accompanied by music including a special song composed by Marvin Gumbs for the occasion.
Students are asked to wear school uniforms, with optional purple accessories to reflect the event’s colour scheme.
The parade will assemble on Calvin Washington Lake Road in the Valley, move right onto the Carter Rey Boulevard and then across to the Ronald Webster Park.
Following the parade, students will return to schools for a snack or lunch before a half-day dismissal.
The Department of Education is collaborating with Webster’s family, represented by Yvonne Webster Price, to mark the occasion.
James Ronald Webster (1926-2016) was Anguilla’s first chief minister and a leading figure in the island’s push for political autonomy.
He played a central role in the Anguilla Revolution and worked throughout his life to promote the development and self-governance of the territory.
