My arts highlight this year is my trip to the Kiwanis Festival. The choir traveled to Richmond to participate in the Festival against schools all around the Vancouver area. We had a wonderful time at the festival, singing songs and dancing on stage was especially special.
Choice 2:
Another Arts highlight for me this year was a very interesting choice. It was my trip to Cuba for Choir and Band. Traveling to this unique country with 63 of my fellow classmates was surreal. It was an amazing experience that is truly impossible to put into words.
Arts Reflection:
This year Collingwood School took 63 students involved in the band and coral program to Cuba. The trip was life changing and was the most educating experience I have ever had. To see these people so happy even when they have nothing is unbelievable. They come from poor families with no money or livestock yet they find ways to find inner peace and happiness despite their circumstances. The trip started in Cuba’s capitol Havana. The group immediately set course to a local school with children aged 15-18 studying as students in the establishment. We were introduced to these young adults and right off the bat I made friends. They were so welcoming and non-judgmental it was an experience that completely altered my opinion of the Cuban people (I was expecting them to be violent due to their ruler). We were able to sing with these people as well as learn to dance the salsa and play the drums. The students were like professionals, the saddest part was knowing that in a few years that would be the last time that the students could play the instruments or sing the songs. The school supported the students with the instruments but once the student left that would generally be the last time they ever played an instrument again. This school was just one of three that we were lucky enough to visit in Havana. It was a life changing experience that showed me how to appreciate what I have. The lack of resources in Cuba shows a country of poverty but the smile on everyone’s face shows unity. After Havana the group set sights on Varadero, the tourist part of Cuba. It has miles an miles of sandy beaches and the water was crystal clear. We even got to perform for the hotel guests. As I look back on Cuba and the people there I really miss their open hearts and open arms. They accept you no matter what and it really blew my mind to see how little they have but how talented they are. Cuba was a trip to remember and I can’t wait to hopefully see my Cuban friends on the world stage one day.
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