Goa Sudharop Representative Ibonio D'Souza innaugurates inter-school value-based skits competition

St. Rock’s High School Tollecanto – Velim organized its Inter – School Value based Skits Competition 2009 – 2010 for A.V.C.C. Schools for the 02nd consecutive year on 19th September 2009. Each School presented two skits i.e. Primary in Konkani and Secondary in English. It was indeed an unique event!

The Manager Fr. Querobino Baptista welcomed the audience and Tr. Mrs. Martha Menezes introduced the Chief Guest Mr. Ibonio Melicio D’Souza Chairperson of Goa Sudharop Trust [affiliated to Goa Sudharop Community Development Inc. USA] a Goan Diaspora, Volunteer, Non – Profit Organisation working for betterment of Goa and Goans Worldwide. She also introduced the judges Rev. Fr. Savio Viegas – Parish Priest Betul, Rev. Fr. Carlisto Coelho – Baradi Chaplin and Rev. Fr. Sony Fernandes – Parish Priest Kanaguinim and the D.S.E. Animators Mr. Manuel D’Costa and Mr. Menino Verdes.

The programme started with the lighting of the lamp by the dignitaries followed by a Prayer Song invoking the blessing of the Holy Spirit.

The Headmistress Mrs. Flavia Verdes introduced the theme, “Let the Children come to me”, Mark 10:14 and the message to the youngsters ‘SHINE LIKE STARS and Spread Jesus Glow’.

In a very special way she appealed to the youngsters to experience God’s divine nature that is LOVE for “LOVE is all we need to Heal the World”. She thanked and congratulated the Heads, Teachers and Students of neighbouring schools for their wholehearted co – operation. She quoted the great writer – Henry Brooke: “A Teacher effects Eternity. He can never tell where his influence stops!” In a World turned gloomy with threats to life by diseases and corruption. She appealed to the Students to strengthen their Moral Foundation and to SHINE LIKE STARS through their VIRTUES as mysteries of their life unfold.

The Chief Guest for the function Mr. Ibonio D’Souza highly appreciated the initiative taken by the Headmistress Mrs. Flavia Verdes and supported by the Manager Rev. Fr. Querobino Baptista. He remarked that the Skits were very powerful and effective means to educate the youngsters in the World where Values have deteriorated and Man is groping in Darkness of JEALOUSLY, HATRED, CORRUPTION etc. he assured the Management that he stands committed to help for such a worthy cause even in the future and that he was very happy to attend the function. The 01st , 02nd and 03rd cash prizes were donated by him.

The students of St. Rock’s High School depicted this present day scenario in a very touching and meaningful way through the enacting and singing of great singer Michael Jackson songs ‘WE ARE THE WORLD’ and ‘HEAL THE WORLD’.

The announcers for the day were Teachers Mr. Amancio Rodrigues and Mr. Jhancy Aguiar. The Vote of Thanks was proposed by Tr. Mrs. Arvilla Moraes.

The function ended giving away MEMENTOS to every participating School as a token of appreciation. The prize for the best Skit in Secondary section in English was bagged by Maria Bambina Convent H/S Cuncolim. The best Skit among the Primary section in Konkani was bagged by St. Xavier’s H/S Velim. The best Actor / Actress prize in the secondary was bagged by Miss Caroline Lopes of St. Mary’s of the Angels Convent H/S Chinchinim and in primary section Miss Jeanelle Fernandes of St. Xavier’s H/S Velim. Maria Bambina Convent H/S Cuncolim lifted the Rolling Trophy along with the Winner’s Cup and a Cash prize as they won the 01st place. The 02nd place was bagged by Regina Martyrum H/S Assolna and the 03rd place was bagged by St. Mary’s of the Angels Convent H/S Chinchinim.

Snacks / refreshments kits were distributed for the participating students / teachers. The programme ended at 01’O’clock with the Hymn ‘SHINE LIKE STARS’ followed by the School Anthem. It was a spectacular event!.

MRS. TARCY ALMEIDA

(Secretary – Skits Committee St. Rock’s H/S Tollecanto – Velim)

 

 

 

ADDRESS AS CHIEF GUEST AT INTER-SCHOOL VALUE-BASED SKITS COMPETITION, HELD ON 19-9-2009 BY ST. ROCK’S HIGH SCHOOL, TOLLECANTO, VELIM, IN ST. ROCK’S CHURCH HALL.

GOOD MORNING TO YOU ALL!

REV. FR. QUEROBINO BAPTISTA, MANAGER, AND MRS. FLAVIA VERDES, HEADMISTRESS OF ST. ROCK’S HIGH SCHOOL, TOLLECANTO, STAFF MEMBERS, ALL STUDENTS AND TEACHERS, AND GUESTS.

I AM MUCH DELIGHTED AND PLEASED TO BE HERE AS THE CHIEF GUEST AT THIS MUCH- LOOKED- FORWARD INTER-SCHOOL VALUE-BASED SKITS COMPETITION OF AVCC AREA, ORGANISED BY ST. ROCK’S HIGH SCHOOL. IN FACT, I AM ALL THE MORE PLEASED BECAUSE THE PARAMOUNT NEED OF MORAL VALUES TO HEAL OUR AILING WORLD IS QUITE DEAR TO ME AND MY ORGANISATION: GOA SUDHAROP COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT INC. U.S.A. – A GOAN DIASPORA, VOLUNTEER, NON-PROFIT ORGANISATION WORKING FOR THE BETTERMENT OF GOA AND GOANS WORLDWIDE.

HENCE, I HASTEN TO CONGRATULATE FROM THE VERY BOTTOM OF MY HEART, REV. FR. QUEROBINO BAPTISTA, MRS. FLAVIA VERDES, THE STAFF MEMBERS AS WELL AS ALL OTHERS FOR SO KEENLY AND ENTHUSIASTICALLY ORGANISING THIS VERY SIGNIFICANT VALUE-BASED SKITS COMPETITION WHICH CAN BENEFIT NOT ONLY THIS PART OF GOA BUT THE ENTIRE STATE AS WELL.

YES, I SAID “VERY SIGNIFICANT COMPETITION”, AND I SAID IT FOR MORE THAN ONE REASON! THIS POTENTIALLY POWERFUL INITIATIVE OF YOURS COMES AT A TIME OUR GOAN SOCIETY IN PARTICULAR, AND THE COUNTRY IN GENERAL IS SEEING ITS MORAL FABRIC FAST DETERIORATINHG RESULTING IN RAMPANT CORRUPTION IN EVERY FIELD OF ACTIVITY, INCREASING CRIME, LAW AND ORDER PROBLEMS, DECLINING PRIVATE AND PUBLIC MORALS WITH ALARMING CONSEQUENCES LIKE HIGH PERCENTAGE OF HIV/AIDS CASES, DRUGS AND ALCOHOLIC ADDICTION, STRESS AND DELINQUENCY AMONG THE YOUNG, BREAKDOWN OF THE FAMILY INSITUTION AND ABSENCE OF THE TRADITIONAL VALUES. MOREOVER, THE FACT THAT YOU HAD SUCH A COMPETITION LAST YEAR SPEAKS FOR YOUR TRUE FORESIGHT AND CONVICTION. SO ALSO, THE FACT THAT YOU CHOSE TO EDUCATE YOUR IMMEDIATE COMMUNITY IN LIFE VALUES ALSO SPEAKS FOR YOUR CORRECT DIAGNOSIS AND RIGHT REMEDY FOR THE MANY ILLS OF OUR SOCIETY AS A WHOLE.

LEADERS, IN MANY FIELDS, HAVE TRIED, IN MANY WAYS, TO ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF LIFE BUT THE HOPES AND ASPIRATIONS OF A VAST MAJORITY OF THE HUMANKIND HAVE BEEN BELIED. VARIOUS KINDS OF REMEDIES HAVE BEEN APPLIED OR TRIED BUT, OF LATE, IT HAS BECOME ALMOST THE UNITED VOICE OF ALL, THAT MORAL, SOCIAL AND HUMAN VALUES ARE THE ULTIMATE AND THE MUCH-NEEDED REMEDY.

A LOVE OF TRUTH – ESSENTIAL FOR A JUST, INCLUSIVE AND PROGRESSIVE SOCIETY; A SENSE OF JUSTICE – RECOGNISING THE RIGHTS AND NEEDS OF ALL; A SPIRIT OF COOPERATION – BASED ON ACTIVE GOODWILL AND THE PRINCIPLE OF RIGHT HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS; A SENSE OF PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY – FOR GROUP, COMMUNITY AND NATIONAL AFFAIRS; SERVING THE COMMON GOOD – THROUGH THE SACRIFICE OF SELFISHNESS. ONLY WHAT IS GOOD FOR ALL IS GOOD FOR EACH ONE. THESE ARE SPIRITUAL VALUES THAT INSPIRE THE CONSCIENCE AND CONSCIOUSNESS OF THOSE WHO SERVE TO CREATE A BETTER WAY OF LIFE.

MY SPECIAL COMPLIMENTS TO ALL THE SCHOOLS WHO HAVE THOUGHTFULLY COME FORWARD TO CO-OPERATE IN THIS VERY NOBLE EFFORT AT THIS CRITICAL JUNCTURE, BY PAINSTAKINGLY TRAINING THEIR STUDENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS MOST IMPORTANT EFFORT OF PUBLIC INTEREST AND TO DO YOUR HUMBLE BIT TOWARDS BRINGING BACK SANITY TO OUR AILING SOCIETY. HERE AGAIN, I SAY “SANITY TO SOCIETY” BECAUSE, LOOKING AT HISTORY, WE FIND THAT MANY GREAT CIVILISATIONS THAT THE WORLD HAS SEEN LITERALY CRUMBLED HAVING IGNORED MORAL RECTITUDE WHICH IS THE “SINE QUA NON” OF AN IDEAL SOCIETY.

SO, CHILDREN, THIS IS YOUR BEST HOUR TO PUT ALL YOUR HEART AND SOUL INTO IT, AND DELIVER YOUR BEST TO MAKE IT A REAL LABOUR OF LOVE FOR THE HEALTH OF OUR DEAR GOA, AND MOTHER INDIA, AT LARGE!

I WISH YOU GREAT HEIGHTS OF PERFORMANCE TO HIGHLIGHT THE LIFE GIVING VALUES AND THEMES OF THE COMPETITION AND MAKE IT ALL AN ABIDING INSPIRATION TO ALL PRESENT HERE, SO THAT EACH ONE OF US RENEWS HIS OR HER FAITH IN THESE ESSENTIAL VALUES AS ALSO INTEGRATE THEM IN OUR DAILY LIVES. ONCE AGAIN, I SINCERELY THANK THE MANAGEMENT OF ST. ROCK’S HIGH SCHOOL FOR THIS HIGHLY SIGNIFICANT INITIATIVE IN SERVICE TO SOCIETY, AND ALSO FOR AFFORDING ME THIS OPPORTUNITY TO BE WITH YOU! JAI GOA, JAI HIND!!

IBONIO D’SOUZA, BOARD MEMBER, GOA SUDHAROP.