It has been a year of hard work, tears, laughter, singing, dancing, lots of drama but, in general, loads of FUN for Mrs. Colette Jones-Chin and her nine students who began and ended the CSEC Visual Arts journey.
Two thousand twenty-one (2021) was no easy year as everyone was faced with several episodes of lockdown periods – and other challenges pertaining to COVID-19 – and other personal and social issues but these students and their teacher persevered and came out smiling as success beamed from their efforts.
Mrs. Jones-Chin who is presently overseas receiving treatment for Multiple Myeloma Cancer, said she was in her bed Friday evening when the screams of elation bellowed through her cell phone from parents and students who could not contain themselves as they relayed the good news, to her, about the successful exam results. She said she also broke down in tears as she received the good news.
She says she expected her students to do well as they all worked very tiringly. She reflects on the late nights working, until 11 pm or 12 midnight with students as parents waited patiently on their kids. Holidays and weekends were also ‘work days’ for Mrs. Jones-Chin and her kids as they painted, drew and practiced their writing skills for their journals.
She explained that even though her students may, or may not, choose an art field as their career path, they can still use all the knowledge acquired in this process for becoming well balanced individuals. Their skills in Communication, Organisation, Team work, Creativity, Confidence, Problem Solving, Perseverance, Focus, Verbal & Non-Verbal Communication, Receiving Constructive Feedback, Collaboration, Dedication and Accountability, will all serve them well as they step into the world as Nation Builders.
Students who wrote the examination, their Options and their Grades are:
Briele LeTang: Drawing & Painting – Grade 1- Tripple A Profile; J-nee Matthews: Drawing & Painting – Grade 1- Tripple A Profile; Michealanne Benjamin: Drawing & Painting – Grade 1; Shaiqwaah Paul: Drawing & Painting – Grade 1, (tutored by Ms. Chin but wrote the exam under ALHCS); Sage Connor: Drawing & Painting – Grade 11; Davisha Richardson: Drawing & Painting – Grade 11; Fidel Lim-Brooks: Drawing & Painting – Grade 11; Gabriela Davies: Drawing & Painting – Grade 11; Nikhil Chhatlani: Graphic Design & Painting – Grade 11.
It must also be noted that Nikhil Chhatlani is the youngest student to have written the Visual Arts Exam here on Anguilla, and maybe in the Caribbean, and is presently a 2nd form student at Omololu Int. Sc. Kudos to Nikhil.
Other past Omololu students are: Brielle LeTang, Sage Conor and Fidel Lim-Brooks. Added to the other students, they are all presently students of the Albena Lake Hodge Comprehensive School.
Mrs. Jones-Chin told The Anguillian that her purpose here on this earth is to use her God-given talents to touch the lives of others, especially the young, and that by knowing the power of the arts and the positive changes it can have on peoples’ lives, she is on a mission to fulfil her purpose as she was chosen to do so.
She said that she is now focusing on getting better and winning the battle against cancer so she can continue on her mission.
Mrs. Jones-Chin extends her gratitude to all her past and present students and their families for sticking with her as she tried to impart her knowledge with her students.
She would also like to thank all her supporters – mainly the WOMEN with HEARTS – Janine Edwards, Annmarie LeTang, Michelle Owen-Vasilis, and Gilda Samuel. She also thanks. The Management & Staff of the Omololu International Sc. for always being her backbone.
To everyone who sends their prayers, and kind words, she expresses her gratitude.
She encourages more students to pursue the ARTS either as an Option for their career choice or just as an enhancer to their chosen path.
– Contributed
