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NYAC's 2007 Calypso Juniors/Pathfinders Prize-Giving Function
Head of Community Relations for Petrotrin,
Rudolph Thomas presents a cash prize to Victoria Cooper
TriniSoca.com Reporters
Event Date: April 11, 2007
The National Youth Action Committee in association with Petrotrin, held its 2007 Calypso Juniors/Pathfinders Prize–Giving Function, at the splendid location at the Petrotrin Staff Club, Point – a – Pierre, on Wednesday 11th April, 2007. Artistes, their supporters and other guests traveled to the far town by the busloads and were treated to the wonderful sites along the way. One such site was the vast oilfields and other buildings contained within the Petrotrin compound. Another was the blooming Poui trees which, even at night time, had burned a pretty pink visible to onlookers.
The club itself was simply elegant with a huge hall lined with four pillars on each side filled with chairs to accommodate the audience. There was also a huge stage hidden behind cream drapes. However, the open floor immediately in front of it was used possibly to have more intimacy between the artistes and the audience.
All artistes were accompanied by the wonderful sounds of the Earl Knights and the Services Brass band.
The night's activities began with the National Anthem sung by the talented Kwesi Jeffers who acted as the masters of ceremonies for the night, the opening prayer by NJAC Committee member, Sis. Vandaly Wears, followed by a welcoming address by Director of Youth Affairs and President of NYAC, Akhenaton Daaga.
Daaga intimated that the decision to host the night's activities in South was a deliberate one by the committee. According to him, it was necessary to have a decentralized focus with regards to hosting events so that youth from all over the country could be equally exposed to the culture. He also commented on the relationship between NYAC and Petrotrin, which he described as a fruitful one.
Daaga further explained the nature of NYAC's Calypso Juniors competition: a foundation programme for children as young as five to sing and compete with children of their own age group. In such a programme, he said, children quickly develop confidence and high self–esteem. This competition was also described as the best that he had seen in many year's due to the all–round quality of the overall production. This programme existed since 1986 and featured popular artistes such as Shurwayne Winchester, Destra Garcia, Bryan London and Heather Mac Intosh. Dagga lastly commended parents and teachers for their participation and assistance in the process and thanked the judges, the staff of Petrotin and the members of NYAC, all of whom made the competition a success.
Also speaking was Head of Community Relations for Petrotrin, Rudolph Thomas who expressed his pleasure at being present. He declared that judging from the Calypso coming out from competitions such as these, it is no wonder that there are so many remarkable Calypsonians arising. Petrotrin, proud to be in association with this level of excellence, has promised to do their best to enhance the development of the youth in Calypso, Thomas said.
The first musical performance began with "Beauty" sung by guest artiste, Andrew Prescod who, once again, wowed the audience with his magnificent voice and inspiring lyrics. Also giving a thought–provoking lyrical message was Jael Paul who received much praise from the audience. Other grand performances included Ezekiel Yorke's "From the Cradle to the Grave", Yasin Akil Rashid's "Ah Revolution" and Tenaj Smith's "Jus Me".
The participants of this competition were winners in their own right and with some work, can take over the reigns of Calypso in Trinidad and Tobago. The winners and their prizes are as follows:
Placings:
Placement / Name / School / Song Title
1st / Victoria Cooper / Cowen Hamilton Secondary / "This Unity in Paradise"
2nd / Dinessa Nelson / ASJA Girls College / "Back ah de Bus"
3rd / Tenaj Smith / St. Augustine Senior Comprehensive / "Jus Me"
4th / Ezekiel Yorke / St. Mary's College / "From the Cradle to the Grave"
5th / Deniel Webster / Couva Government Secondary / "Ah Fraid"
6th / Jael Paul / "Providence Girls Secondary / "The True Answer"
7th / Shinesse Simmons / "Holy Faith Convent, Penal / "Beyond the Mountains"
8th / Yasin Akil Rashid / Cunupia High / "Ah Revolution"
9th / Gabrielle Isaac / St. Francois Girls' College / "Extra Extra"
10th / Kwesi Charles / Mucurapo Junior Secondary / "Cultural Mentality"
11th / Dineka Nelson / San Fernando Government Secondary / "Ah Wouldn't Go"
12th / Lisanne Jacob / Success Laventille Composite / "World Crisis"
13th / Megan Waldron / Corpus Christi / "Brain Sweat"
14th / Angel Prescod / Preysal High / "For the Past"
Road March
Name / School / Song Title
Megan Waldron / Corpus Christi / "Brain Sweat"
Consolations:
Name / School / Song Title
Jaylana Bryan / Bishop Anstey High / "Amy's Cry"
Amirah Augustine / Eastern Community College / "Crime"
Kenneth Stewart / Tranquility Government Secondary / "Feel Proud of Me"
John Plaza / Shiva Boys Hindu College / "Too Young to Fall in Love"
Shradah Mc Intyre / "Arima Government Secondary / "Ripples of Pain"
Helon Francis / Preysal High School / "It's a Male"
Jahira Harris / St. George's College / "Woman"
Joseph Lewis / Arima Government Secondary / "The Villan"
Keron Daniel / Diego Martin Junior Secondary / "Never Again"
Nicole Jordan / Scarborough Secondary / "Teach Me Now"
Winston 'Explainer' Henry made an appearance after the prize–giving ceremony had ended. He sang some of his greatest hits and had the audience move and sing along to his tunes.
At the end of the programme, Sis. Dela Obika briefly alerted the audience to some of the work that the Butler Institute of Learning and Labour have been doing with regards to remedial work with people with reading and writing difficulties. She urged the audience to help in whatever ways that they could with this programme and to assist the cause by supporting their sale of lunches on Friday 4th May at #40 Duke Street, Port of Spain and No. 7 Frederick Street Marabella at $25 per box.
The evening ended with artistes and guests being served with luscious meals by Kumasi Catering Services before reloading onto buses to be taken back to Port of Spain.
NYAC's Calypso Juniors Pathfinders Prize Giving 2007 in pictures:
www.trinisoca.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=69247
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