Cleopatra Murphy

Freeport News Reporter

cleopatra@nasguard.com

Recognizing the importance of extracurricular activities to a student's personal development and to cater to the whole student, St. Georges High School held a club drive yesterday to encourage students to get involved in various clubs.

"We want to cater to the whole child because we are grooming students for life and we want them to be well rounded in the community," vice principal, Joy Anne Pennerman said. "We are stimulating both hemispheres of the brain and also I think when students are excited about extracurricular activities, it encourages them and it motivates them to really work hard in academics."

With a vast array of club offerings, students flocked to sign up for the Governor General's Youth Award (GGYA), the Environmental Science Group, Ladies Club, Book Club, Debate Club, Agricultural Club, Marching Band, Nursing Club and Student Christian Movement.

"This is one of our signature items where we want students to be able to participate in different clubs to give them a broader perspective rather than just academics," Pennerman said.

She added that students' response to the club offerings had been excellent.

"We set a high standard of expectation so every student is required to participate in a club of their choice," Pennerman said.

Robert Kramer who is involved in numerous clubs including Student Christian Movement, GGYA, Marching Band, Junkanoo, the Junior Volunteer Program and Science Club said he loves to stay active.

"With GGYA we always go on hikes. You earn your rewards to a higher level - you get bronze, silver and gold. I am currently working on getting my gold. I have already obtained my bronze and silver," he said. "For Junior Volunteer, whatever free time I have I like to spend it giving time back to the community."

Kramer said he feels that his participation in various clubs has strengthened his academic performance.

"The things that I have learned have actually helped me with the classes that I do at St. Georges," he said. "GGYA has to do with a lot of science, it helps you with physical education and other things," he said.

Vashti Wallace, who is a member of GGYA, Flagarettes and Student Christian Movement said she finds the activities fulfilling and her extracurricular activities are to her benefit.

"I think they are going to help me if not now, then later," Wallace said.

Pheelialix Carter, who participates in GGYA, said he has picked up skills he did not have before.

The student who is working on receiving his silver medal said he enjoys the experiences he gets participating in the program.

"GGYA is basically about the physical elements where you go on hikes, clean up the beaches, you experience the wilderness, so in case you get lost it's a really good experience," he said. "When you are out there you have friends to communicate with, you have fun and you get a mental and physical workout."

Pennerman said the senior high school has faired rather well in academics and the school has high hopes for the new academic year.

"We've done pretty good in the BGCSE's – excellently. We have had 100 percent passes in four subject areas and 85 to 95 percent passes in the other subject areas, so we are going to continue the trend in increasing our performance in the BGCSE and we also have an advanced placement (AP) program running here at St. Georges High School as well," she said.

Pennerman added that in November the school would have its pageant and is also anticipating its upcoming awards ceremony in October where students will be recognized for academic excellence and their performance in extracurricular activities.