Junior Monarchs crowned
Two new monarchs were crowned in the Scotia Bank Junior Monarch finals early yesterday morning at the Sir Garfield Sobers Gymnasium. An impatient audience remained on hand for the results which took more than hour to be returned. It was just after 1:15 a.m., when Emari ‘Browne Star’ and Dequon ‘Quon’ Alleyne were declared the winners.
Browne staved off a strong challenge for top honours from Kenaz ‘Mighty Bit Bit’ Walker. This is the champion’s fourth year competing and was his final in the 7-12 age group. Undoubtedly, his experience gave him the edge over the diminutive powerhouse ‘Bit Bit’, who has been creating a stir among calypso lovers in his quest to get the crown. Browne delivered an entertaining presentation covered in bruises and bandages as he told the tale of being bullied and making a call for ‘Peace’.
The Mighty ‘Bit Bit’ can be extremely proud of his first showing in this competition. The powerfully-voiced junior clinched second place. Although he failed to win the crown he was successful in winning the hearts of many. Third place went to Sakarah with ‘Colour My Barbados’. Fourth place in that division was taken by Keimani ‘Master Kei’ Deane who performed ‘Homeless Not Hopeless’.
Other participants in this age group were KCB, Star Diamond, Joshua B and Just Kari.
The battle for top positions in the 13-18 category was tight. In the senior division Dequon “Quon” Alleyne was able to prove that perseverance seldom fails.
This is his sixth year in the competition and his first making it to the semi-final stage. His comedic video presentation made light of his previous unsuccessful attempts. However this was Quon’s year as he not only successfully made it through the final round but had the ultimate redemption by taking the crown in the senior division. The student of Queen’s College had a vocal entourage equipped with flags to show their solidarity. When he was declared the winner they thronged to the front of the stage in jubilation.
Yahandje Daniel was a close second as she was only two points behind the winner. She delivered a powerful message with “Don’t Cry”. Her presentation was moving as she chronicled the journey of a girl from youthful rebellion to her tragic contraction of AIDS.
Third place went to Asher “Dynamo” Murrell. His dramatic flair was on full display as he presented “Tales from the Crypt”. From his parents crying over his coffin and his emergence to tell the story of what caused his demise – he was mesmerising. His message that being a bad boy was cyclical and that there is always someone out there who is “badder than you” was delivered with resounding success. De Overcomer placed fourth with the cleverly written “Bon Appetit”.
The other contestants in the senior division were Princess Make’da, Symar, Miracle and Raanan.
Each of the participants in both division delivered excellent productions with many incorporating audio visual presentations and elaborate props which raised the entertainment value.
In a reciprocal arrangement with regional partners Trinidad’s Junior Monarch Dwayne O’Connor sang “Man of Integrity”. Shomari “Mighty Sookie” Mitchell who is the reigning St. Kitts Junior Monarch was also on the cards. Some of the eliminated contestants made guest appearances too.
CEO of the National Cultural Foundation was presented with a cash donation from David Parks Managing Director of Scotia Bank Caribbean East. (ST)