Youthlink day lights up Irwin High
Tashieka Mair,Youthlink Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:
Irwin High School was abuzz with activities on April 2 as it was the venue for the first in a series of The Gleaner's Youthlink Day, which will be held at secondary institutions across the island under the theme, 'Promoting Literacy through Reading'.

The students were given a presentation on the Youthlink product, as well as on the purpose and benefits of reading and knowing the role of parents and teachers in helping children to have an interest in reading.

The Gleaner's circulation marketing representative, Cassania Jarrett (right), presents a dictionary to the 'Youthlink' coordinater at the Irwin High School, Jennifer Richards. In the background are students of the institution showing off their 'Youthlink' magazine.

The highlight of the day was a lunch-hour concert that brought both students and teachers to life, as they were fed with performances from their schoolmates and several of Montego Bay's top entertainment acts.

Irwin High School's 'Glamour Girls' perform.

The performances began with Irwin High's 'The Glamour Girls'. The trio unleashed original tunes, including Mi Know Mi Fren Dem and This Is for the Moms and Fathers, a cover version of Demarco's hit song, Fallen Soldiers.

Sharon Watt-Richardson, schoolteacher, performs Mariah Carey's 'Hero' .

Singer, Golden Voice, was welcomed by deafening screams from the musically hungry students. He had them singing along to popular hits, such as You're Beautiful, Time After Time, No One and Everything's Gonna Be All Right, among others.

Singer Golden Voice performs a string of hits to the music-hungry students.

But Marvin and the Federation Dancers from Flankers in Montego Bay were the toasts of the concert, as they showed off the latest dance moves. They even ran crazily into the crowd and students, who almost got trampled in the process, did not seem to mind, as long as they were able to get up close and personal with the local stars.

'To the world!' Marvin (centre) and members of the Federation Dancers, Kemar (left) and Troy, who hail from Flankers in Montego Bay, rock the concert with their dance moves.

Irwin High School opened its doors in September 2004 with 450 students and today accommodates over 1400 under the stern leadership of principal Aldin Bellanfantie.

Smiles all around! Principal of the Irwin High School, Aldin Bellinfantie, accepts an English dictionary for the school's library from Cassania Jarrett, circulation marketing representative for The Gleaner's Western Bureau.

For your school to host our next Youthlink Day, contact Cassania Lewis-Jarrett at cassania.lewis@gleanerjm.com or 566-9717/ 952-2454 and Tasia Cargill-Lofters at tasia.cargill@gleanerjm.com 392-3275/922-3400.

Kerry-Sue Jarrett (centre) shows off her new 'Youthlink' calculator, which she won after answering a question about one of the features of the weekly publication. With her are Gleaner's circulation marketing representatives, Cassania Jarrett (left) and Tasia Cargill-Lofters.	Marika McDonald has fun modelling the 'Youthlink' bag she won. Looking on is Tasia Cargill-Lofters, circulation marketing representative.

Students show off their 'Youthlink' magazine.	These students decide to read their 'Youthlink' before the start of the concert.

Irwin High School student Alecia Lawrence is all smiles as she reads one of the many interesting features in the 'Youthlink'.

- Photos by Tashieka Mair