RIP Jim Kavanagh

Dear Friends,

As most of you know, Jim has been battling cancer for the past few years and I regret to tell you that my best friend and beloved husband, passed away at home late Saturday, June 7th.

Jim spoke of his friends often and fondly...usually with a funny story that began, "You won't believe what we got ourselves into the time we..."

A memorial to celebrate his life will be held in the town of San Pedro on the island of Ambergris Caye, Belize at 6:00 p.m. on June 18th, 2008. It will be held on the beach by BC's. Jim asks that everyone let the flowers grow and instead would prefer donations be made to assist the other cancer victims of San Pedro, so they too may receive the excellent cancer care provided in Merida, Mexico, as he did.

Donations may be made by:

Local Donations should be made directly to:

Dr. Lerida Rodriquez

Coconut Drive San Pedro,

Belize

Phone: 226-2197

During this hectic time there are many more friends I need to contact but don't have the information, have outdated/incorrect addresses, phones, etc. and would greatly appreciate your help in notifying other friends I have been unable to contact.

You are all in my prayers. Take care of each other.

Sandy Kavanagh

Open Day at Ambergris Caye Elementary School

Open Day - a day when students showcase what they have learned throughout the year. Those bits of knowledge profess themselves when they all start working in groups and bring about an incredible array of items, tidbits and ideas about the subject they present.Ambergris Caye Elementary School (ACES) had its students present on the cultures of Belize. Those main cultures are: Garifuna, Maya, Mennonites, Mestizos, Chinese, Creole and East Indians.

Garifuna Drummers

Watina Girls - lovely dancers!

Grand finale for Garifuna presentation

Connor shows the Mayan Pottery - very knowledgeable!

Mayan food includes, vegetables, atole, tortillas (of maize of course) and caldo! Yum!

This beautiful 'Mayan' girl showcased the gorgeous colors of typical Mayan Dress

Another Mayan beauty presented the embroidery and dolls of the Mayan

What a fierce warrior! He hunts with bows and arrows, spears, traps, nets and more! This young man knows his stuff!

The traditional Deer Dance was quite a hit!

And to cap it off, the group picture showcasing all about the Maya. Good job!

The Mennonites made sure to dress the part!

Traditional Mestizo dance is an integral part of Belizean culture

Color and beauty - the Mestizo!

Organized and knowledgeable - the Chinese booth

Bright students showed those present the typical Creole outfit.

Dancing the Brukdown to the tune of Belizean Brukdown queen Leela Vernon's "Palo Palito"

The East Indian's perform the traditional dance.

Even in the hot sun, the students managed to pull off their show and did a great job. Thanks to the teachers and organizers - you did well!

Prom Night 2008

Omar and Julie

Peter Zaldivar and Shandelly Smith

Josie and date...

Sonia and "Chumbie"!

Alice Huang, Prom Queen...

...and Javier Alamilla Prom King 2008!

Ashley, Robin, Sonia and Marcy

Enaid and Simon

Irene and Eliseo

Marciano "Mash" and Elina walking into the prom with style!

Lisette Graniel and Jaime "Squeaky" Cowo

Sully and Ismael...

Samuel Gonzalez and date Gina walk the carpet

Ashley Keating and date...

Eni Gonzalez and Jody Leslie

Inez Reyes and John Vega

The dresses, the tuxedos, the crowd, the venue! What a night of glitz and glamour it was last night at the San Pedro High School's 2008 Prom Night. Held at Casino Belize, with a "Vegas" theme (how apropos), Prom saw the arrival of over 40 couples. They made the long walk down through the throng of screaming crowds to their archway for photos and a final show for the gathering before entering to the casino where their party got underway.

Congratulations graduating class! Viva Prom - Vegas style!

Let's DANCE!

Richie Coc and Jessica Tzib

Cindy Salgado and Immer Rodriguez

Congratulations PSE Top Scorers

Alexia Perez, Ismael Kay and Emily Gomez

PSE (Primary School Examinations) is often considered the dreaded final test of a young Belizean student's primary school education. For two years, students are prepped and drilled in Creative Writing, Social Studies, English, Math and Science. The PSE is sat in two parts, and students are better able to prepare.


This year, the results show marked improvement over what many have complained is too hard an exam. Students obtained higher grades, and the entire community is proud of such hard working, exemplary children for showing that it CAN be done!


Kudos!

Going Green!

Tacogirl (http://www.tacogirlblog.blogspot.com/) has managed to rally up quite a bit of enthusiasm for her "Going Green/Recycling" project. Students from Isla Bonita Elementary School and Holy Cross were at the park for a rousing rally, armed with posters and flyers extolling the virtues of recycling and encouraging green ideas.
It's a great project, and with tacogirl's enthusiasm and the public's encouragement of the children will bring about a good change for our little island!

Isla Bonita kids on their way to the park.

After the rally in the park, these kids and their teachers were still quite enthusiastic!

The Tacos! Good job guys! "RECYCLE!!"