ArtsEtc shares the sweets—and the shirts—with Lodge School athletes

ARTSETC is known mainly for its involvement in the arts in Barbados but we love it when we also get to explore the “et cetera” side of what we do.

When the Lodge School announced it was sending two teams to the Penn Relays 2012 in the United States as reward for their performance at inter-school sports in Barbados, and for learning experience, we reckoned it was the perfect scope for such an adventure and jumped at the opportunity to help send the athletes on their way.

ArtsEtc donated long-sleeved T-shirts for the athletes, coaches and accompanying parents to wear in Pennsylvania. The shirts were presented at full school assembly on Monday, the day before the teams travelled. Also at the presentation were fellow sponsors Williams Industries, who sponsored the squad’s polo shirts. (Interestingly, Williams Industries, through its subsidiary Williams Metals, is a former advertising sponsor of ArtsEtc—just one of many supporters that have enabled us, in turn, to extend a helping hand to a worthwhile venture.

And that is exactly how ArtsEtc views the achievements of the Lodge School relay teams. “We were keen to support the boys’—not because they were doing well but because they were working hard, doing something positive and that effort deserves to be encouraged and developed,” said ArtsEtc co-founding editor Linda M. Deane, who presented the shirts to the school.

“Sport has played such a significant role in Barbados’ recent social history. It is part of our cultural heritage and a vibrant and vital part of our contemporary cultural environment, especially at the schools’ level. It is something we, as an arts and cultural company, continue to address artistically. But also, through support of the Lodge School’s track programme, is something we are addressing in a hands-on way, too.”

Penn Relays, an annual event, is the oldest and largest track and field competition in the United States, attracting teams from all over the world. This year it runs from April 27-29. The Lodge School’s nine-man squad left for Pennsylvania on Tuesday, accompanied by coaches Mr. Jamal Grosvenor and Mrs. Anne Hinds-Butcher, and will return May 1.

ArtsEtc wishes them well. Kick it out, boys—and thanks!

 

Above and below:
Mr. John Francis of Williams Industries and Linda M. Deane of ArtsEtc Inc.
 presenting shirts to the teams.

GO LODGE! Back row; l-r: U20 4 x4 squad: Anderson Devonish, Tramaine Maloney, Justin Nicholls, John Haynes. Front row; l-r: John Francis of Williams Industries; U17 4 x 100m squad—Kyle Farrel, Shaquille Nurse, Tamal Atwell, Akeem McCollin, Shaquille Hollingsworth; and Linda M. Deane of ArtsEtc.

 THANKS! Track team captain and Lodge School deputy head-boy Tramaine Maloney receiving his shirt from Mr. John Francis of Williams Industries. Later, he thanked sponsors, including Robert Sandiford and Linda M. Deane of ArtsEtc, on behalf of the team and the school. Acting principal Mr. Vasco Dash and Linda Deane look on. (ArtsEtc would also like to thank the family at MPact/MGrafix
for their kind and timely assistance.)