Kingston, Jamaica: A moment of triumph on the national stage is bringing renewed hope and pride to White Hall Primary School in St Thomas, as the institution looks to strengthen ties and build deeper support within its community.

The small rural school, located in Seaforth, delivered a standout performance at the Traditional Folk Forms 2026 National Finals, organised by the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC), capturing national titles in both the Quadrille Contra Style Class 1 and Quadrille Camp Style Class 2 categories. The team went on to be named Best Overall Performers in both divisions, an achievement that has resonated far beyond the stage.

For Principal Icyline Taylor, the moment represents more than a win, as it embodies the school's motto: “Good input leads to great output”.

“I am extremely excited!” she exclaimed. “We are just so proud and are basking in the success of our students. They excelled at every level of the JCDC competition and are now national winners. This moment has really captured the heart of our community. We are already seeing the impact, and I truly hope it becomes a turning point for the school in building stronger community support,” she shared.

That sense of possibility spread throughout the school, as students and staff gathered in a classroom to watch the live stream from the Little Theatre on Day 1 of the Traditional Folk Forms National Finals on April 14.

“It was a powerful moment for all of us… During the performance, a little girl shouted, ‘Me should be up there dancing,’” Taylor recalled. “She had been taken out of the group by her parents, and watching the others perform clearly made her emotional.”

The principal explained that this win in the performing arts will go a far way in uplifting the image of White Hall Primary. She noted that many parents have been sending their children to schools outside the community, but with this latest accolade, it is hoped that the community will now see that great things can come out of the school. She sees it as a benchmark, marking a standard that reflects the richness and dignity of traditional Jamaican culture.

At the heart of the school’s success is the hard work and dedication of dance teacher Richelle Robinson, whose passion for traditional folk forms has helped shape the students’ journey. She is no stranger to the JCDC’s performing arts programme, having performed quadrille during her primary and high school years, and now brings that wealth of knowledge and experience to her role at White Hall Primary.

“Extremely proud and happy... that describes everything I am feeling right now,” Miss Robinson shared as she flicked away tears that had begun to brim in her eyes. 

Her impact, Principal Taylor noted, extends beyond performance.

“I know she was discouraged in the early days, as there was no support, but I encouraged her not to allow the noise from the outside to drown her passion for culture. She used the time wisely, and we are basking in her success. A student in the dance group uses hearing aids. When I see how Miss Robinson has taken her in and worked on her strengths in a very inclusive way, it shows that little White Hall Primary can be a beacon for this community,” Mrs. Taylor said.

As part of the JCDC’s Festival of the Performing Arts, Traditional Folk Forms aims to recapture Jamaica’s cultural past and indigenous activities through Jamaica’s dances of the past. The forms covered in the competition are: Quadrille (Ballroom, Camp and Contra Styles); Ring Games; Maypole; Kumina/Congo; Revival; Ni Nite/Wake; Gerreh; Dinki Mini; Zella; Tambu; Jonkunnu or John Canoe; Burru; Ettu; Bruckins Party; Maroon Dance and Medley of Folk Forms.