In giving back to the Negril community, Absolute Entertainment, the promoters of the premiere summer weekend event Appleton Temptation Isle (ATI), set out to raise funds for the renovation of the White Hall Basic School.

Recently, the NCB Foundation (NCBF), along with ATI and Digicel Rising Star contestant Princess Tia (a proud past student of the learning institution) collaborated to renew the beauty of the Whitehall Basic School. The funding for this venture were acquired during the course of the ATI weekend as several ‘Be the Change’ graffiti walls were mounted at several ATI events with NCBF donating $100 for every signature. The revenue gained from this exploit was impressive considering that work carried out on the school was altogether valued at over $1.4 million.

To put the finishing touches on the school, NCBF staged an activity/community day on Saturday, January 30, 2010 which saw the outpouring of scholarship recipients, volunteers, NCB Negril branch staff, community members and even tourists who all gave a helping hand. The school was transformed from a piece of work into a beautiful place of learning nestled in the rural community of Whitehall, Negril.

Thank yous are in order for all the team players who helped to make it happen: Digicel, with their big, bad and bold music truck; Rockwildaz Family for their hot new talent Mia Jae and coverage of the event; the hard entertainers from the Work of Hearts camp — Tiger Bless, Sasha Samantha, Rohan Prophecy and of course, the lady herself, Princess Tia.

Tete-a-tete with Princess Tia

TEENage caught up with Princess Tia at the NCBF/ATI community link-up project at the Whitehall Basic School in Negril. We had a brief tete-a-tete about the project and her life since the Digicel Rising Stars Competition.

TEENage: A lot of people still just know you as Princess Tia but what is your registered name?

Princess Tia (PT): (Smiles) It’s actually Suzanna Brooks.

TEENage: What have you been up to since Digicel Rising Star?

PT: I have been trying to strike the balance between music and school. Educationally, I am doing my degree in the performing arts (music) at Edna Manley and musically, I am signed to Work of Arts Production under the management of George Golding, where I have been doing recordings.

TEENage: What did you do with your winning from the competition?

PT: It has all being invested in my education.

TEENage: Speaking of school, how are the grades coming along?

PT: Well after completing fifth form at Ruseas High School with 5 CSEC subjects (distinctions and credits), I am still doing well. Last semester was good. The lowest grade I got was a B+. I scored A’s in all other areas.

Music

TEENage: What are some of the singles that you have recorded so far?

PT: I have recorded a single called “Free,” which is a collaboration with A.O.N. This song speaks about upliftment and liberation from the social pressures in life. So far, it has been getting great reviews on radio.

TEENage: Where do you see yourself in the next couple years in terms of music?

PT: I see myself as a leading female music sensation like Queen Ifrica, making it big locally and internationally.

TEENage: Where can we expect your next performance?

PT: I will be performing at Bob Marley’s birthday bash.

TEENage: So, I am assuming it couldn’t be just music and school for you. Do you have a special someone?

PT: Not at all. You know right now I am giving my full one hundred to school, with music on the side. I don’t have the time. In life you just have to know what is important right now and what can wait. Prioritising is important!

TEENage: What would a lot of people be surprised to know about Princess Tia?

PT: (smile) A lot of people would be surprised to know that I speak Dutch. I spent three months with my sister in Germany and I learnt a great deal of the language while I was there.

TEENage: What do you do for leisure?

PT: I love movies, so I watch a lot of that and hang out with my friends and go to the beach.

TEENage: How would you describe your sense of fashion?

PT: Trendy, roots, girly, rebel. It all depends on my mood still.

Whitehall community and the project

TEENage: What was it like growing up in this community?

PT: It was beautiful! This community is the biggest part of my success right now.

TEENage: Why did you opt for this school as your project?

PT: I was a student here, so it was my way of giving back to the school and the community on a whole.

TEENage: What has the reception from the community been like?

PT: The people feel really good. The community is really proud and glad that I did not neglect them.

TEENage: And what are your future plans for the school?

PT: I want to come back and continue to help out. Right now the school needs a bounce-about for the playground, so hopefully I will be able to contribute that in the future.

TEENage: What is your best piece of advice to TEENs out there who desire to emulate you?

PT: Focus in school and never say you can’t. Build up your courage and confidence and remember nothing good comes easily.