Finalists draw their spots for 31st Junior Monarch

Three newcomers will be among the ranks when the young blood takes to the stage on August 23, for the finals of the 2016 Scotiabank Junior Calypso Monarch. With all-new champions to be crowned across both categories due to last year’s winners moving on, this year will also see more males than females going after the crown. During yesterday’s draw for positions at Scotiabank, Sky Mall, 16 young calypsonians, eight in each category were in high spirits as they ready themselves for the task ahead next month. In the 8-12 category Browne Star gets things off the ground as newcomers Sanshe, Yahandje and Dondree follow. A@-Lee-ahh, Sarai, Summa and Star Diamond close out that competition. The reserve is Hannah Glow. In the 13-18, De MC, one of six boys opens the show. RJ and last year’s 8-12 winner Dynamo are second and third respectively. Raanan, Quinn P, Raheem, who is in his final year, Sparkle T and De Overcomer close out the group. Quinn P and Sparkle T are the only girls in this field, along with the reserve Dria Mayae. Delivering her remarks, Senior Manager Marketing at Scotiabank, Lisa Cole, stated that her organisation was pleased to have had such a long and illustrious relationship with the competition and hoped that the young artistes continued to benefit as they had for the past 30 years of the competition. “Whether you are in your first year in the competition or your final year, we hope you have benefited from the opportunity, developed as artistes and enjoyed being part of the Scotiabank Junior Monarch Programme. Most of all, we hope that you will go on to use your talent as well as the skills developed here in the future. We really do believe that the Junior Calypso Monarch Programme is a springboard for our young calypsonians going on to the Pic-o-de-Crop competition like Sir Ruel, Sammy Jean and Adela, and for some becoming full-time working musicians. Scotiabank has been involved with this programme for over 20 years and we see it as an investment in our country’s cultural heritage and our youth,” Cole said. (MP)