Miriam Rodriguez Ms. SPHS Queen 2011/12

Angel Nuñez auditorium was packed to capacity with hundreds of excited and energetic onlookers as the San Pedro High School annual pageant came to a start. Initially scheduled to start at 6:30pm, due to technical difficulties, the pageant did not get to a start until around 8:00pm. An agitated crowd was soon calmed, and jubilant as the first act started off with a dance presentation and an introduction of the beauties. Beachwear, cultural talent evening wear, question and answer segments followed.

Ms. SPHS: Miriam Rodriguez

At the end of the night, the winners were announced as follows; the new Miss San Pedro High for the year 2011 – 2012 is Ms Miriam Rodriguez; first runner up was Ms Alexis Del Valle; second runner went to Vivienne Forman and Ms Josie Lopez took the place of the third runner up. Miss Popularity was taken by Lina Mazariegos with just about 2000 votes. Ms Photogenic went to Ms Alexis Delvalle. Outgoing queen, Ms Solanie Graniel was on hand to give the crown. All the contestants performed exceptionally and at the end of the night, a great time was had by all.

Beach Wear:

3rd Runner-up: Vivienne Forman

Ms. Popularity: Lina Mazariegos

4th Runner-up: Josie Lopez

Student Singer

Cultural Wear:

2nd Runner-up: Alexis DelValle

Fashion Show: Talent Presentaion: Vivienne Forman Lina Mazariegos Nayelli Pu Alexis DelValle Josie Lopez Miriam Rodriguez Marissa Gomez Evenging Wear: Vivienne Forman Lina Mazariegos Mahe Pereira Nayelli Pu Alexis DelValle Josie Lopez Miriam Rodriguez Marissa Gomez Outgoing Queen: Solani Graniel & Ms. San Pedro High is:

Miriam Rodriguez

World Vet program in San Pedro

Fifteen volunteers were at the SAGA Humane Society on Thursday March 24^th as part of a World Vet program, providing sterilization surgeries to the pets of the island. The group was in Caye Caulker earlier during the week providing free spay neuter services and health consultations to the small animal population on the Island.

(World Vets is a non-government organization (NGO) providing veterinary aid around the globe in collaboration with animal advocacy groups, foreign governments, US and foreign military groups and veterinary professionals abroad. Our work spans 25 countries and 6 continents and addresses not only veterinary issues, but also human health issues impacted by zoonotic diseases in developing countries) www.worldvets.org.

In San Pedro for a day, the group provided over 70 surgeries to pets. The group of volunteers included six doctors and nine volunteer technicians and assistants. While the organization has visited Caye Caulker previously, this was World Vet’s first trip to San Pedro. Dr. Mike Corcoran, trip leader, informsThe San Pedro Sun that he hopes that this can become a yearly event that spans couple days.

The volunteers came form all parts of the country including Washington, Los Angeles, Colorado, Baltimore, District of Columbia, Texas and others.

The SAGA Humane Society takes this opportunity to thank the World Vet Team for a wonderful spay/neuter event. Vets and volunteers for this trip are as follows: Mike Corcoran, Colleen McCoy,David Landers, Michelle Ward, Becky Bukowy, Michael Shulkin, Laurie Doton, Mary Swartz, Sarah Sahli, Lisa Krigbaum, Carl Krigbaum, Kathy Dalton, Dawn Williams, Ainjil Halber and Katie Ayres. Local volunteers include Lori Purdy, Kathy Marin, Joanne Fry, Renee Steinmetz, Eileen Jamieson, Grant Crimmins, Ingrid Lima, Noami Castro and others.

The Art of Life: Freedom & Faith

Freedom & Faith

By Christopher Emmanuel

"Freedom & faith is tied to responsibility and consequences"

I saw a boat named “Freedom” in the back by the lagoon. Just the name makes you want to ride in it. I am sure everyone is looking for a ride to freedom. Naming a boat is an important thing for a fisherman. Many times it’s a name of the love in their lives. Other times it’s an endearing quality or nick name they feel connected to. For many the right name provides a sense of protection and faith. Here in San Pedro there is a ceremony for blessing boats with faith for safety at sea. A boat is significant on the water and having a faithful connection can be a life line when travelling at sea.

Does faith and freedom go together? Freedom conjures up wonderful images for us all-we all want to sail free and clear. Finding freedom is not always an easy task. Each person has a concept on what freedom means. But for most it’s like a boat in the wind. Sometimes the wind dies and we are left standing still wondering, other times we need to dock it, tie it down till the storms of confinement pass.

Freedom always require faith, every journey requires faith to reach a destination. We can say then true freedom is really not an all out doing without care, but the ability to make choices and in that, in this part of the world we all have that. Choice is truly freedom, a gift from the Divine

Books by Christopher Emmanuel can be purchased at his Art Gallery in The Sunbreeze Hotel, Art of Touch, Pages Book Store, Black Orchid Spa and Sol Spa.

Marco Gonzalez officially becomes a National Park

On Friday April 1st, Minister Heredia signed the final Statutory Instrument (SI), making Marco Gonzalez a national park. The official signing took place at the Belize Tourism Board office at 2:00pm. In attendance were Honorable Manuel Heredia Jr., Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation and Culture; Ms Diane Haylock, President NICH (National Institute of Culture and History). From Belize Institute of Archaeology were: George Thompson, Acting Director; Dr. John Morris, Associate Director, Research; Brian Woodye, Associate Director, Parks; Dr. Allan Moore, Associate Director, Education; Melissa Badillo, Staff Archaeologist; members from the Marco Gonzalez Board of Directors, members of the media and other invited guests.

George Thompson, Diane Haylock, Minister Manuel Heredia

Hon. Manuel Heredia, Jan Brown

Diane Haylock, Hon. Heredia, Jan Brown

Marco Gonzalez Site:

Read more about the Marco Gonzalez site:http://sanpedrosun.blogspot.com/2010/07/exploring-marco-gonzalez.html