Screams, teary eyes, and chorus like chants, greeted the lineup of musical ambassadors as they made their exit from the tour bus as it came to a halt on the compound of the Mannings High in Westmoreland recently.
It was week four of the RE School Tour, and it was the first time that the tour had travelled to the West.
With the threat of rain hugging the outskirts of the venue, the entertainers which included beat boxer Mixing Lab, dancehall's newest bad girl Stacious, gospel artistes Goddy Goddy and DJ Nicholas, Timberlee, Tifa, D Angel, I Octane, Konshens, Chino, G Whizz, Etana, Queen Ifrica and Alaine, all delivered exciting sets, spliced with the abstinence message.
Sponsors Coke Zero, Claro, Mothers, and the National Family Planning Board enticed the more than 500 strong students with giveaways and promotional material, while Ministry of Education representative Matthew Mothersill utilized the latest dancehall rhythms in his presentation to the students.
Midway throughout the proceedings, the roar of thunder exploded and the rains came tumbling down. The students stood still and continued to absorb the messages being delivered by the entertainers.
Fourth form student Romario Melwood was so caught up in Etana's performance that he shed his shirt and pranced around the stage, making catcalls to the singer, as she gave in to his boyish antics and invited him to join her on stage. Melwood and another male student would repeat similar antics during Queen Ifrica's performance, much to the delight of the crowd.
'I love Etana, she is going to be my future wife. Queen Ifrica sell off. Mi want to come on the other school tours with RETV', Melwood shouted enthusiastically.
The female students were not left out of the fun, as just the mere mention of their names and their subsequent appearances, Konshens, G Whizz, Chino, I Octane, Goddy Goddy and DJ Nicholas drove the girls wild.
Queen Ifrica, who was making her first appearance on the tour, utilized her star power to administer a near five minute speech to the students about abstinence, the importance of getting a sound education and staying in school, and to leave matters reserved for adults, until they are older.
'This is the best of the RE School Tour this season and I am just loving it. The country schools have received us very well and I can't wait for the next season. Anywhere the tour is going, it could be Timbuktu, I will be there', Etana commented.
Tifa also concurred with Etana's comment. 'The country schools dem a di bomb. Seriously, the kids have really absorbed the message and they show us a lot of love. I'm loving every minute of it, because it gives us as entertainers a chance to see how our fans react to our work outside of Kingston'.
In between presentations, Jerry D's Vibes Machine provided momentary musical relief for the students who displayed the latest dance moves, while RETV host Snoop Roc engaged the students and kept them on a high with sponsor goodies.
The RE School Tour is a presentation of RETV and Three Sixty Promotions and Marketing. The tour airs on RETV Saturdays at 2:30 PM with a repeat at 7 PM. It also airs on TVJ Saturdays at 4:30 PM with a repeat on Thursdays at 5:30 PM.
