"The stage was resonating with energy and foot-tapping beats… Our school quadrangle was resounding with the street play performances,” stated principal of Alexandra Girls’ English Institution Kashmira Sarkari. Students from 14 schools had submitted about 350 entries for 20 events that marked Alexcellencia — A Gateway to Excellence, the interschool fest organized by the School on its premises. The aim was to get the School on the inter-school competition map, stated a note from Sarkari. The day-long event showcased talent in literary arts, performing arts and fine arts competitions with an opportunity to win an overall best school trophy. The events included plays, music, drawing and painting, spelling bees and other activities. But it was not all glitz and glamor. "In this age when technology is king, we couldn’t ignore computer graphics and the art of making innovative PowerPoint presentations.”
Judging the events were professionals from various fields, including alumni and teachers. Former principal Michele Medeira judged the spelling bee. Arts professional Thrity Dadabhoy and academician Meher Munshi among others judged the fine arts competitions while choreographer Pearl Tirandaz and reality dance show judge Marzi Pestonji rated the gyrations. Entrepreneur Rakhi Jain assessed the technology on display while child educator Munira Saheb determined the winners of the story telling sessions. Extempore speaking sessions were judged by journalist Jane Borges and speech and drama teacher Dayle Stanton. Theater professionals Kashmira Vazifdar and Vistasp Gotla "had a tough time choosing the winner” of the plays.
Top l: Participants in art competition; r:Pearl Tirandaz and Marzi Pestonji (2nd and 3rd from l)
with winning dancers and teachers;
above: Kashmira Sarkari and Hoshaang Gotla (3rd and 5th from r) with teachers and winners
from Bai Avabai Framji Petit Girls’ High School
Describing him as the "mastermind” behind the function, Sarkari’s press note stated that School director Hoshaang Gotla "was on the field and looking after all the minute details.” She added, "At our School we nurture talent and leadership qualities in our girls by organizing many such activities throughout the year.” Gotla shared: "Ensuring fairness, the competition welcomed students from other schools… Our students did not participate. Instead, we trained 45 to 50 senior girls to independently plan, execute and organize the entire event, providing valuable exposure and learning opportunities.”
The Bai Avabai Framji Petit Girls’ High School was declared winner of the Over All Best School award.
Jenefer Chesan, Alexandra school vice principal in charge of curricular and co-curricular activities, gave the vote of thanks.
The school board consists of three trustees, Dr Jehangir Mistry, Prof Nergish Charna and Nawshir Mirza. Gotla, Ruby Pavri and Homiar Vakil are directors.