BLAIRWOOD Academy students kept guests entertained through words and music at the school’s “Cocktails by the Sea” event on Saturday at the Royal Nassau Sailing Club to raise funds towards curing literacy.

More than 120 guests enjoyed a heart-felt speech from former Blairwood graduate Sharad Ferguson about his success at school and college while Adrian D’Aguilar and some students performed jazz. Joe Euteneuer and John Christie played acoustic sets, celloist Abi Feaster impressed and the Barabas Junkanoo rush out got the crowd moving.

Kim Kooskalis, the director and owner of Blairwood Academy, a small, integrated, private school dedicated to helping students reach their full potential while striving to cure literacy, said the night had been “a huge success, especially because we were able to raise awareness of our children’s full potential through love, support and guidance that only Blairwood Academy is able to offer.”

John Christie was delighted by the students’ performance and was struck by their politeness and congeniality. “The students were extremely talented and capable of handling the huge task. I am very impressed,” he said.