14-year-old wins Drama Personality of the Year 2021 competition

The Covid Lockdown may have disrupted education and teaching-learning systems, however, the right kind of support and motivation from school leaders has empowered children to utilize this time positively and focus on their strengths and talents. Sariah Lobo is one such student who has set an example for other students by proving how one can utilise this testing time as an opportunity. Sariah Lobo, a 14-year-old Class IX student of Billabong High International School (BHIS) Santacruz, Mumbai, brought laurels to the school by winning a Drama Personality of the Year 2021 Award recently organised by an Academy Helen O Grady International - India. The event was organised virtually in which students from various schools across India participated.

 The competition that started in January 2021 declared its results on July 17.

Sariah was declared Drama Personality of the year 2021- All India Champion, in the 13 to 18 years category, for her rendition of Macavity – The Mystery Cat written by T.S. Elliot. Sariah was given this award by Alan Montanaro, famous pantomime Actor and Principal of Helen O'Grady Drama Academy, Malta. Sariah competed with more than 500 students from all over India.

 Ecstatic over the achievement, Sariah said, "It has been a long but an amazing journey and simply an out-of-this-world experience. Acting is a big part of my life. What fascinated me was that this competition gave me a platform to do something unique that no one has ever done before, and I could add my elements of surprise. I am grateful to Helena O'Grady International for allowing me to showcase my talent. I am thankful to my school Billabong High International Santacruz, Mumbai, and my wonderful teachers for their constant support and the nurturing environment they have provided me."

Helen O'Grady International is the world's largest after-school developmental drama programme. Over one million children are enrolled in this programme globally. In India alone, the programme has won the prestigious Best Innovative After-School Programme Award by the Indian Education Congress for three consecutive years (2014, 2015 and 2016). TNS

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