In conjunction with the DCMS 10-year anniversary, all of Cape Eleuthera Foundation was invited to a fundraising ball at InGraham’s Beach Inn down in Tarpum Bay. Many alumni and former teachers returned to the island to support the cause. Starting with a school bus ride from the Cape all the way out to Tarpum Bay, the night was filled with revelry. There were multiple coolers packed with ice and refreshments which were consumed on the hour long ride to the event.
Once the bus arrived at the school, we were treated with a wonderful live band called The Rum Runners, a cash bar, and a buffet table that stretched seemingly for miles. On the menu was conch, salad, peas and rice, jerk chicken, and mac and cheese. The guavaduff for dessert really hit the spot. This local delicacy is made with dough, guava, and lots of sugar. Once the guava is kneaded into the dough, it is boiled and a nice sugary glaze is drizzled on top of it.
Once the plates were cleared, a dance party kicked off. Awards were given out for best dancer, best dance move, and best dressed. Although the injured ankle was still problematic, at that point in the night the pain had subsided and I proceeded to dance alongside colleagues from the Island School and CEI.
Saturday morning came earlier than expected. I had previously volunteered to be a support station for the 5 mile Run/Walk from campus to Deep Creek and could not back out of that commitment. I set up my station with Jonny at the S-curve, about halfway down the course. A trickle of runners came through, for which we were prepared to support with cups of water and orange slices. Once the larger pack of joggers and walkers came through the station, we struggled to keep up with the demand.
Our stations had strategically been placed about a mile apart from each other. At this distance walkers could fill up their bottles at each station if necessary, while runners could alternate between drinking or splashing some on their face and continuing down the road. My favorite moment of the morning came as a young Bahamian, possibly a DCMS alum, came through. We offered him water, but he kept going saying, “No water. It’ll only slow me down.” Only 15 seconds or so later, Gabe came through and it looked as though he was determined on passing the guy in front of him and moving into first place.
Jonny and I packed up once all of the participants had passed through. The support van picked us up and we motored down to the finish line to cheer on all the participants as they came into the finish area. This area was the “Street Fair” and looked like a carnival. Food and craft vendors occupied stalls on a makeshift midway, with a large stage at one end. Most of the food was similar to what I have become acquainted with as typical Bahamian fare, however later in the evening there was a lionfish cook-off. These fish were caught during a lionfish reef cleanup and by all accounts are a tasty alternative to the endangered groupers.
The Royal Bahamas Defence Force Band played popular local music as well as reggae covers of classic American songs. The party did not stop until after 10 PM, having started at the completion of the walk nearly 11 hours earlier. Street Fair, and the entire weekend celebration, served as a wonderful tribute to the achievements that DCMS has made in its first 10 years of existence. Hopefully this school can continue towards its goal of providing an intermediate transitional point between primary and secondary school, and will develop environmentally conscious leaders for the future of the nation.
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