60 Seconds
60 seconds. You are on and off the stage in 60 seconds or you get disqualified. The best kids from 52 countries compete – just short of 3000 of them.
It is the World Championships of the Performing Arts in Los Angeles – the world stage for the youth. The best young instrumentalists, actors, singers, dancers and models in the world go there to compete.
These kids have won their regional championships all over the world. Then they had to win gold at their own national championships. They are the best out of probably millions. Then they go to Los Angeles. And the actors have 60 seconds on the stage.
Kouga had two actors on this stage. And a model. Jamie Smith won the Golden Award for Modelling on her age group and was chosen for the final showcase.
Then the actors entered. For 60 seconds. There was no time for warm-up or hiccup. On and off. No re-plays. What you do in 60 seconds must beat the world.
Marilie Olivier entered 10 categories. She won six gold, 1 silver and one bronze medal. She was the overall Junior Champion in the comical division. She is the Junior World Champion. She beat them all . Alexander Holliday won gold in three categories in the 16-24 age group. He beat them all.
So you think this is good? So did the people from the industry. Marilie and Alexander both received the Industry Awards . That is the best of the best according to the people who matter.
And so did the New York Conservatorium . They both received scholarships to attend that famous school.
Alexander also recently did his exams at the Trinity College of London . How do 96% for drama and 100% for speech sound? “Excellent” according to his examiner, “one of the best ever”.
These kids are from Kouga and there are more of them. Lise-Mari Du Preez recently won the overall drama prize for High Schools at the Eisteddfod in Port Elizabeth. There were some big schools and a lot of entries. Abigail Goosen won the same prize for Junior Schools. And there are more students from Kouga entering this exciting stage.
Their teacher, Eubré Ferreira promised that there are two more of her students that will make LA next year.
Speaking of Eubré…wherever a child excels there is some adult guidance involved. Kids come from a variety of backgrounds and most of them will have parents that care and allow the spirit to be free. Most of them, but not all. But one thing you will always get, is a teacher. Someone who knows, who can teach, who loves and someone who believes. A child might have the inner fuel and spirit, but he or she needs that someone who can light a fire, nuture it and let it will burn for a life-time. Eubré Ferreira is such a teacher. I have watched the interaction between Eubré and her students. There is a spark, a bond and the guidance to be extraordinary . Eubré maintains that you cannot set a table for a great dinner if you do not have the silverware. Indeed, but you need to know what is silverware and what is not, you need to polish it and you need to set each piece exactly in its right place.
Here we have born natural talent, devoted, inspired and committed. And a guide.
You can see a showcase of this talent at Potter’s Place on Saturday 24 September . You will see the prize-winners and you will see the new students. What you will see will amaze you.
You will also contribute to these children’s futures. A regional competition costs about R5,000 to compete in. The nationals cost about R10,000 per child. Los Angeles will cost R90,000. Most of these students will not have the funds to carry them as far as their talent will allow. The income from the tickets of this show is for them.
iCan. If you allow me!
