The St Joseph's Convent Secondary School - Grenville is the winner of the first ever Secondary Schools thirty minute Drama Competition. The school secured 413 points to win the $5000.00 first prize with its presentation "New Beginning" staged Monday at the Grenada Boys Secondary School/Digicel Auditorium.

The Convent students rejoiced after the judges decision was announced. They said that they were confident that they will return with something for their school but never imagined that it would have been the grand prize. The second position was taken by Presentations Boys College (PBC) with 362 points with a presentation called, "D' Storm". PBC will receive $3,000 while St David's Catholic Secondary School which took the third spot with "A Taste of Reality" is assured of $2,000. The other participating schools were T.A Marryshow Community College (TAMCC) with its "Sweet Sour Sop" and the Grenada Boys Secondary School (GBSS) which came up with "Time Will Tell".

The competition was judged by a panel of five judges which included well-known dramatist Christopher De Riggs of Heritage Theatre Company (HTC). In commenting on the performances of the students, De Riggs told them that: "Every play is a work of art", and that it is always work in progress. He encouraged them to work on their diction and projection.

The Ministry of Education intends to stage another competition next year. The story of the "New Beginning" from the Convent girls in St. Andrew's tells of a family which was experiencing marital problems due to a cheating husband "Boyzie" who was at the time having an affair with another young lady.

However, the young lady realised that she was doing more harm than good and decided to be a home-builder rather than a home-wrecker. In the end "Boyzie" came to the realisation that what he was doing was creating problems for his wife and their two children. He then agreed with his wife to get counselling and the two were able to put their marriage back on track.

The positive attitude of their son and daughter encouraged a group of youngsters to change their negative ways and become role models for society. The Auditorium was packed to capacity and from all indications the presentations made by the five competing schools were enjoyed by all. The competition was sponsored by the Ministry of Education, in collaboration with the Grenada Rural Enterprise Project in an effort to help young people develop appropriate attitudes, moral and spiritual values and behaviours.

"Appropriate behaviour patterns among our youth: The key to a happier individual, a better society and a productive nation," was the theme under which the competition was staged. Participants were asked to incorporate into their presentation aspects that reflect: Appropriate standards of behaviour (dress, language, work ethics, study, dealing with conflict etc); Patriotism (love for country); Values (honesty, trustworthiness, loyalty etc); Moral breakdown in society (looting, stealing, use of obscene language etc); Respect for (oneself/others, property etc); Relationship (parent/child; Teacher/student); and Responsibility and consequences.

The competition was intended to allow students to use drama to demonstrate positive values that can help to enhance appropriate behaviour among young people as well as encourage adults to be good examples to their children.