Claudia’s “Edward 4 Education” Charity Foundation makes major contribution to the arts

[dropcap]B[/dropcap]eautiful things happen when the right minds come together. Not so long ago Theatre Arts teachers and enthusiasts Kasia Foster, Yasmin Tyson and Keam Charlery had a vision for building a Theatre Arts room on the Ciceron Secondary School compound. It was uncertain whether singer Claudia ‘da diva’ Edward Ladner would wish to be involved, but reaching out to her proved the first in a series of great decisions. Although apprehensive when she realized the magnitude of the work to be done—for starters, a building would have to be constructed from the ground up—Claudia eventually decided she would facilitate the project under her eight-year-old organization the Edward 4 Education Charity Foundation. This week it all came to a head: the room officially opened, with educators, students, government officials, sponsors and press in attendance.

In a brief interview Claudia explained why she felt compelled to take on the project and how she felt at its completion: “I think this is an amazing space that the students can be proud of. When they get in here they can say ‘we have a beautiful room to express ourselves,’ and with me being involved in the arts, I know the environment where you learn your craft is really important. The big deal for me is that the students now have a place they can   feel good about. They can feel good about what they’re doing.”

Claudia expressed her gratitude to those who had provided monetary and other forms of assistance. They included Drying Little Tears, Harry Edward Jewelers, JP Services, Tiles Plus and Tropic Builders. Mr. Adey Paul, the principal of the Ciceron Secondary School, lauded the singer’s efforts. Referencing her unstinting determination to get the job done, he said: “You know when someone does something for schools that they have a big heart. But it’s always someone else doing the work. I remember when we just started, it was in the summer, school was closed, and they were bringing in the raw materials to start construction. The materials were left out on the main road and there was the danger that the cement might harden from getting wet. We were faced with a shortage of manpower. When I thought of Claudia, what came to mind was ‘the diva’, she won’t want to get her hands dirty. Was I wrong! She and Ms Foster bent down and carried bags of cement from the road into this room. And I needn’t remind anyone how heavy is a bag of cement. The Claudia who left here for home looked nothing like da diva!”

Mr. Ernest Hilaire who had seen the completed room for the first time on Wednesday, said he was extremely impressed with the outcome. The area’s parliamentary representative, Hilaire underscored the importance of the arts in Saint Lucia’s schools: “I firmly believe we should be treating creative industries as a central focus of developing our young people and developing our society. What you are doing is not just a Theatre Arts room for students to just get better grades at CXC. You will be transforming lives. Young people who don’t want to be doctors or lawyers but can be fantastic singers, actors, sound engineers, light technicians and models, we can offer them that because it is as valuable as being a lawyer or doctor . . . probably more valuable.”

The school’s faculty have set out a mandate to see that the room is used regularly—something Claudia says she fully supports: “Our main goal is create something students, current and in the years ahead, will have at the school.”

It fell to theatre arts teacher Kasia Foster to deliver the vote of thanks.  “Claudi, you are going places; you are a superstar. I have to say, I love you from the bottom of my heart, and I thank you for this great accomplishment and for being the person you are. There is no other quite like you. Thank you on behalf of our school. We are so, so grateful. We are here for you always.” On Thursday, six students graced the room’s stage with its first ever performance, to the obvious delight of all in attendance.