One Hundred Boys Participate in 'Men Are Needed Middle School March'

News Release: Hamilton, Bermuda – On Monday, December 16, YouthVision Promotions organized a ‘Men Are Needed Middle School March’, with the objective was to promote the importance of positive male role models and father figures in young peoples lives.

Approximately 100 boys from Whitney Institute Middle School were joined by male staff members and approx 100 other men of the community.

The march started at Dellwood Middle School, who was invited to participate, but decided against it, as they only received confirmation to participate from Education Comissioner Kalmar Richards three school days prior to the event, and continued along Angle Street, Court Street, Victoria Street and finished at Victoria Park.

Along the route students handed out approx. 100 VISIONZ Anti-Violence magazines to onlookers and spectators, who were encouraged, engaging and excited by the children’s positive collective demonstration.

Once the crowd reached Victoria Park, they were treated with powerful and impactful motivational speeches from BREAK THE SILENCE organizer Antonio Belvedere, who recalled the names of the young men lost to gun violence in the last decade. Next speaker was former school dama teacher Rajai Denbrook, who recited a poem on the importance of being a father.

The next speaker was Anti-Gang cordinator Paster Leroy Bean, who emphasized the importance of a fathers love. Following Pastor Bean was National Security Minister Wayne Caines, who reminded the crowd of the drop in murder/gun/gang related statistics and the importance of keeping on the right track to avoid the wrong consequences.

Veteran School councilor Anthony Peets, spoke on the strength of the family structure and the importance of the role of the father. After Mr Peets was former drug addict and motivational speaker, Ronald Butterfield who spoke on his personal experiences of growing up without a father and the downward spiral that he found himself in hanging around and following the wrong people.

The final speaker was YouthVision Promotions Director and organizer of the march, Desmond Crockwell, who thanked those in attendance, and motivated the children in attendance to collectively shout and cheer the phrase ‘I Can Make A Difference’, which ended what was a historic and memorable public demonstration of social responsibility and undeniable unity.

One thing was obvious, YouthVision Promotions understands and is committed to their mandate to give people a platform to speak, which is something Bermuda needs.

On behalf of YouthVision Promotions, we would like to thank the following participants, supporters and sponsors for making our Middle School March on Monday, December 16.

First, all thanks to God. Next, we wish to thank Colin Ingham, Lynwood Richardson, Whitney Institute, IMPACT Academy, pastor Leroy Bean, Min. Wayne Caines, Antonio Belvedere, Anthony Peets, Rajai Denbrook, Ronald Butterfield, Paradise Scents, Ceasars Pharmacy, Crawl Hill Esso, Bermuda Community Foundation, Kiwani Club of St. George’s, The Bemuda Fire Service, The Bermuda Police Service, Corporation of Hamilton, and everyone who offered their verbal and physical support.