As Belize gears up for its annual September Celebrations leading to Independence Day, the Belize Civic Center played host to a dynamic, youth-centered showcase of national pride on September 11, 2026. Hundreds of primary school pupils swapped their usual classroom routines for a day of celebration at the annual Children’s Rally, turning the large venue into a sea of patriotic red, blue, and white, filled with the sound of original music and traditional performance.
This year’s gathering marked a welcome return to full capacity after the 2025 event was canceled mid-program due to heavy rain, which left most schools unable to attend. Education Minister Francis Fonseca shared his enthusiasm for the 2026 rally, noting the contagious energy that radiated from the young participants. “It’s always a great pleasure to join these kids. You can feel how much they love Belize, and how much joy they bring to this day,” Fonseca explained. “After last year’s rain-out, it’s incredible to have every participating school here under one roof this year. This is exactly what the spirit of September and the spirit of Belize is all about.”
Among the largest contingents was St. Martin de Porres R.C. School, which brought more than 200 upper-primary students from Standards Four, Five, and Six. School principal Michelle Murray Gordon says that participating in the rally is a long-standing tradition for the institution, one that delivers lasting value to students beyond the fun of the day. “This event is such an important tool to help young people build a sense of patriotism and genuine pride in our country,” Murray Gordon said. “It also gives them a rare chance to enjoy themselves in a safe, supervised space outside of the classroom, to cut loose and just be kids. Our students love the day; every year when we can’t bring every student, the ones left out beg to come along. It’s easily one of the most anticipated events on their school calendar.”
The 2026 rally featured a packed program of student-led performances, including traditional folk dance, patriotic choral singing, and original poetry that centered Belizean identity. For 11-year-old Anwar Perez, a student at St. Martin de Porres, the day’s core purpose goes beyond celebration: it is an opportunity to reframe the global narrative about his home country. “The most important part of today is that we get to celebrate our country and show the world who we really are as a people,” Perez explained. “A lot of people talk about the bad things that happen in Belize, but days like this show we have so much more to offer. I think we have one of the most beautiful countries in the world, and even though we have our flaws, if we get the chance to show that to the world, I know we could be known as one of the best.”
When asked what makes them proud to call themselves Belizean, the young attendees offered warm, heartfelt answers. Sixth grader Jah’Niyah Jones summed up the sentiment shared by many: “I’m proud to be a Belizean because Belizean people are so nice.” Classmate Jaylee Dawnson echoed that thought, pointing to the country’s rich culinary traditions and tight-knit cultural community as her biggest sources of pride. “It’s the food, the culture, and just how kind everyone is here,” Dawnson said. For Austin Madrid, another student participant, no short list could capture his national pride: his answer was simply “Everything.”
While the main rally for Belize District was held on September 11, schools across all other districts of Belize will hold their own local Children’s Rallies on September 18, continuing the season of national celebration leading up to Belize’s Independence Day on September 21. This report was compiled by Britney Gordon for News Five.