Wesley College Launches September Celebrations With Patriotic Day

Wesley College officially opened its 2026 September Celebrations activities this morning with a Patriotic Day ribbon-cutting and flag-raising ceremony at the school’s courtyard in Belize City.  The event was a school-led initiative and not the official opening of the National September Celebrations. It brought together students, educators, school officials and invited guests as Wesley College joined the country in preparing to celebrate Belize’s forty-fifth anniversary of independence.  Among those attending were Wesley Upper Local Manager Ann-Marie Williams, Bishop Elswith Clare, Principal Sherrilyn Welch and members of the school’s Board of Governors.  The programme featured the singing of the National Anthem by the Wesley College Choir, the raising of the Belizean flag by members of the Belize Police Department, a national prayer and patriotic selections by the Wesley College Marching Band.  Guest speaker Ann-Marie Williams reflected on the importance of the September Celebrations and what Belize’s forty-fifth anniversary represents for students and the wider community.

Anne Marie Williams: “Patriotism is not just wearing our national colors, it’s not just wearing the colors of the blue, white and red flag. It is what we do when nobody is watching. It is the way we keep our environment clean. You know when you look see if somebody is watching and you throw the chips bag on the ground ? That’s a part of it. It is respecting one another. It is rejecting violence, dishonesty and corruption at all costs. It is helping someone who is struggling. Patriotism is having the courage to say no and having the courage to say “I can make a difference.” You don’t simply ask, “Weh I cud get fra Belize ? Weh Belize cud gih me ?” You know how we like free thing ? “Weh Belize cud gih me?” No. You ask, what can I give to Belize? What problems can I solve ? Whose lives can I change ? What ideas can I create ? What example can I set ? Because when you answer those questions you begin to understand the true meaning of “Look at Me I am Belize at 45.” So Wesley College, as Belize celebrates 45 years of independence I leave you with three simple words; Look at Me, Look at You, Look at Us. We are Belize.”

The ribbon-cutting formally opened Wesley College’s calendar of September activities, while the flag-raising encouraged students to embrace the values of patriotism, unity and national pride.  The school’s activities are being held under this year’s national theme, “Look at Me: I Am Belize at 45,” which encourages Belizeans to reflect on their contributions to the country’s identity, development and future.  Wesley College’s ceremony was among several patriotic activities being organised by schools and communities across Belize during September, ahead of the Battle of St. George’s Caye Day on September 10 and Independence Day on September 21.