Six students, studying events planning and management at the Anguilla Community College, have just completed the second and final event required for their Associate Degree programme, as they continue their studies.
The cocktail event was held on Saturday, April 11, at the specially-decorated cafeteria, and attracted a number of family members, other invited guests and faculty staff.
Senior student, Winnie Davis, now in her final year at the college, was the main organiser of the event. “We are having this cocktail party and it will be graded by our lecturer, but it has to be live,” she explained. “This is in order for her [our lecturer] to see everything we are doing – the way we interact with guests, the way we decorate the place and whether we have enough eats and drinks. These are all going to be graded during the party for our final exam.”
In addition to Winnie Davis, the other students are Simonia William, Luisa Dada Gumbs, Kessica Fiedtkou, Tanasia Newell and Mikhaile Browne.
Speaking on behalf of herself and the other students, Ms Davis explained why they entered the hospitality training programme. “As you know, Anguilla’s economy is based on tourism so we decided to pursue studies in that area,” she stated.
The students are being taught by Mrs. Karimah Carty, Chef D’Partie/Lecturer. “This is the second event as the students already put on a birthday party,” she said. “The students are required to use the space provided by the college and transform it into a cocktail party event.”
Mrs. Carty described the students as “a very good bunch and they work together very good as a team”. She stated that the number of students in the hospitality programme was still small, but there was a young intake of students. “I am hoping that we will have more young people in the programme which the Anguilla Community College is offering,” she added.
Ms Sharon Carty, Director of Hospitality, commented: “I think the students have put a lot of effort into redesigning our cafeteria to hold this event. I would like to see more people taking advantage of these courses because, at some time, everybody plans some sort of event and so the events course at the college is very popular. It is a very good way of persons learning how to plan an event from concept to execution. Anguilla has several events and festivals all year, and we have people coming here for weddings and meetings. These skills can be used everywhere and anywhere – personally and professionally.”
The delicacies provided by the students, during the cocktail party, were a delight to those in attendance, and the service and attention to detail attracted much commendation.
Mikhaile Browne gave a performance that added much to the social side of the event.
The students have offered thanks to Couture Concepts Ltd for sponsoring the decorations, B.E.P services for sponsoring the tallboy chairs and Gaff for sponsoring the lighting.
