KINGSTON, Jamaica: When Ardenne High School lifted the prestigious Marcus Garvey Award for Excellence in the Performing Arts trophy on October 15, it was more than another victory; it was a testament to a formula that the school has refined over the years.
This formula is based on an equation that combines faith, discipline, and consistency with a deliberate investment in students and their artistic development.
Organised by the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC), the Marcus Garvey Award for Excellence in the Performing Arts recognises outstanding achievement in music, dance, drama, speech and traditional folk forms. For Ardenne, retaining the title for a 14th consecutive year, and their 15th win in total, is confirmation that its approach to developing young performers continues to deliver results.
According to Gracia Thompson, co-curricular coordinator at Ardenne High School, the foundation of the school's success lies in its motto: “With God as Guide, We Seek the Best.”
“The secret is that we go with the ethos of the school and our motto, and attaining the Marcus Garvey trophy for 14 years straight is certainly the best,” Thompson said.
But faith and ambition alone are not enough. At Ardenne, this level of excellence is attained based on a year-round commitment rather than a goal pursued only when competition season arrives.
Preparation begins as early as October, giving students and coaches time to develop performances for the following year's National Festival of the Performing Arts. This early start allows students to explore multiple pieces and genres, broaden their abilities and take on more challenging material.
Thompson said the school also places significant emphasis on ongoing training, workshops and rehearsals, supported by experienced coaches who help students sharpen their craft.
Her advice to other schools seeking to strengthen their performing arts programmes is straightforward: “Invest in training, secure good coaches and keep rehearsing”.
Jonathan McLaughlin, performing arts and drama teacher and faculty advisor to the Ardenne High School Drama Club, shared that one of the most rewarding aspects of the journey is seeing students develop their individual artistic identities. Although competing in both speech and drama requires students to prepare multiple pieces, explore different performance styles and venture into unfamiliar disciplines, he believes these challenges are essential to their artistic growth.
“I love when the students bring their own identity into the pieces,” he said, explaining that even when students perform the same poem, each interpretation brings something distinctive to the stage.
The objective is not simply to produce technically sound performances, but to help students discover their own voices, confidence and the understanding that artistic expression is deeply personal.
McLaughlin shared that he deliberately pushes students beyond their comfort zone, encouraging them to take on additional categories and explore new forms of performance. For him, the process of becoming a better performer is continuous.
“Every time that you go on stage, you must become better than you were last time,” he said.
The same principles extend beyond speech and drama into music.
Choir director Ojea Sheckleford said the excitement of winning has never faded, even after 14 consecutive years of success. For him, the school’s mission remains a constant source of motivation.
“I tell them constantly that we can achieve anything with God, discipline and hard work. I also try to tell them that they have to try to be the best at every single thing that they do, not just musically. That translates not just to the performing arts, but to their entire life,” Sheckleford said.
This broader outlook helps explain why Ardenne's performing arts programme is about more than accumulating trophies. It is also about shaping young people who can work collaboratively, respond to challenges, develop their talents and pursue their ambitions with purpose.
The school's experience offers a valuable lesson for institutions seeking to strengthen their own performing arts programmes: success is not built on competition day alone. It is cultivated through early preparation, consistent training, supportive relationships and a culture that encourages every student to strive for excellence.
With entries for the JCDC's 2027 National Festival of the Performing Arts set to open on November 1, Ardenne's journey serves as a reminder of what is possible when schools invest in nurturing young talent. Information on entry requirements and competition categories will be available through the JCDC's website and official social media pages.
