Mr. Sweeney

Day 4:    

The day's events got started at the Confederation Hall.  There was a production
company called the Confederation Centre Young Company and they
treated us to a show entitled; Québec à la Carte.  This was a tribute
to the 400th anniversary of Quebec's history and culture.  
The show started with a scene from the deportation of the Acadians from the
island and finished with a song, Des Generations by Quebec group, Mes Aiuex.
In between the opening and ending we were treated to various
highlights of Quebec's rich history and songs that have formed Quebec's
culture.  The highlight was a beautiful rendition of Celine Dion's, My Heart Will
Go On made famous in the movie, Titanic.  
The Quebec High students were invited to the after production party with the
artists where we were treated to lunch and had the opportunity to mingle with
cast members.  

The afternoon saw the QHS group in the town of Abram Village at the official
opening ceremonies of the Canada Celebrations for the province of Prince
Edward Island.  The town of Abram Village is much like the village of Valcartier
except a French version.  This small town boasts a culturally rich French
speaking community.  Throughout the day there were bands and
musicians playing traditional music.  
During the opening ceremonies Federal Member of Parliament, the honorable
Joe McGuire and Honorable Robert Ghiz the Premier of P.E.I. Acknowledged the
presence of our group and thanked up for our participation in this historic day
celebrating Canada Day and the 250 years of the Deportation of the Acadians
from the maritimes.

Our group was divided on Tuesday night.  Those staying in Summerside
returned to Summerside to take part in the firework display.  The kids staying in
Charlottetown returned to the Festival of Lights.  The group was asked if they
would go on stage with a local artist and sing O Canada prior to the fireworks.  
Once again our kids agreed and before 30,000 spectators we joined together
and sang a bilingual version of O Canada.   The long and tiring day came to an
end with a beautiful display of fireworks that were fired off and exploded over the
bay.  The Charlottetown fireworks are the largest east of Montreal
on Canada Day.

Note from Mr. Sweeney to the Parents back home

The group that is hosting us here in PEI are with the Celebrate Canada Youth
Ambassador program.  As such they were asked to give of their time to help with
the events over the past few days during the Festival of Lights.  Our students
have jumped right in with their host families and have proudly represented your
families, our school and Quebec City.  To date I have nothing but praises to say
about the behavior of our kids.  I am looking forward to tomorrow where we will
kick back and enjoy the seaside and the swimming.  We are going deep-sea
fishing tomorrow and the captain tells me that we will anchor off at a certain place
where the kids, if willing can jump off and swim.  Any fish we catch will be cooked
on the shore where we will be having a BBQ at day's end.  Look for the
photos tomorrow.  If you are speaking to your kids let them know you are
proud of them because I am!

Itinerary of Events
Day 4


Sleep in until 9:30 !

10:30 am
Confederation Hall
The Confederation Centre Young
Company Production:

Québec à la carte

1:00pm
Travel to Abram Village
town of Evangeline
Opening Ceremonies of the
P.E.I. Canada Day
Celebrations

4:00 pm
Travel back to Charlottetown for
the Festival of Lights fireworks
show.
QHS students were well received in the town of Abram Village.  Here
Premier Robert Ghiz took time to take a photograph with our group.
He looks forward to the middle of July where here will be in the city of
Quebec for a first Minister's meeting.