The Teacher Ashena Tranquility School of Music made awards to Anguilla’s graduating grade sixers. The award is a music award presented to the most outstanding music student of each graduating group of the six public primary schools on Anguilla.
Teacher Ashena De Souza began her teaching career in 2005, as a teacher of music at Campus B, then left to pursue studies for the Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education at the University of the Virgin Islands where she graduated with honours. Upon her return in 2010, she was transferred to the primary schools music programme where she touched the lives of all the children.
It was also at this time that she birthed the vision to open her own music school, Tranquility School of Music, and also founded the Tranquility Steel Orchestra, the steel pan extension of the music school. After her untimely passing in March 2017, the parents and well wishers teamed up with the family to form a school board which ensures the continuity of the school and Tr Ashena’s legacy. The school has since been renamed in her honour, and the Board has committed to awarding the Teacher Ashena Music Award to the six most outstanding grade 6 students every year. Of the six awardees, one will be the recipient of the Teacher Ashena Music Education Scholarship which allows free music education for one academic year at the Teacher Ashena Tranquility School of Music.
The six awardees for 2018 are Carjenée Maccow (ATHPS), Rayana Webster (VPS), Shamya Hodge (AARPS), Carlana Gumbs (OKPS), Deandra Fleming (MVPS), and Keisi Carmona (VVPS).
The school wishes to thank the parents, teachers and the general public for their continued commitment and support post Hurricane Irma, giving special recognition to the Department of Youth and Culture for providing assistance and relief to some affected families and students of the school, making it possible for the school to live its motto, “Bringing out the musician from within”.
– Contributed
(Published without editing by The Anguillian newspaper.)
