PM: "It is because of the hard work and dedication from our youth that St. Maarten was able to gain the recognition that they deserved"
The Prime Minister of St. Maarten the Honorable Sarah Wescot-Williams and representatives of the National Organizing Committee held a special thank you and appreciation evening at the Belair Community Center honoring the young participants, teachers and choreographers who produced the awe-inspiring youth showcase presented to the Royal Couple during their visit to St. Maarten in November.
The Prime Minister, who hosted the event, thanked each and every student and their teachers, including Clara Reyes and Arlene Halley from the National Institute of Arts, the students and staff of the Charlotte Brookson Academy and Nicole De Weever from Art Save Lives, for participating in the event and making it one of the most memorable youth showcases in the history of the country: "We wanted to show our appreciation for the program that was shown and presented to the Royal Couple when they where here on St. Maarten last November. It is because of the hard work and dedication from our youth that St. Maarten and her people where able to gain the recognition that they deserved from the Royal Couple. Your performance was overwhelming and made each and every St. Maartener proud and it is therefore that we decided that it is a must that that we show our gratitude and express our thanks to all of you for giving St. Maarten a boost thanks to your presentation," stated the Prime Minister to a full house of young, cheering students at the Belair Community Center.
During the thank you event a video was shown from the Youth Showcase to much applause and appreciation from the crowd of students who relived the evening when they were able to showcase their talent to King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima. The Prime Minister acknowledged their hard work and dedication in making St. Maarten proud: "I know it must have been long and hard training for all of you but at the end of the day your presentation came off so beautifully that you must have forgotten all of that. St. Maarten is proud of you and I personally want to encourage you to continue giving everything that you have to your talent. I also want to especially thank the teachers for molding our young people in being all the best that they can be. To the students I would like to encourage you not to give up. Hard work pays off and I would like to thank, on behalf of Government, each and every one of you and express how proud we are of you for having made such a special and historic evening," commented the Prime Minister.
The PM personally thanked every student and presented him or her with a framed photo and DVD of the Youth Showcase.