3-Way Tie For Junior Calypso Monarch

For the first time in the history of the Sunshine Snacks National Junior Calypso Competition, there has been a three-way tie for first place.

Tying for first position were 17-year-old Trinity College Student Olatunji Yearwood, Karene Ashe of Morvant/Laventille Secondary and little 9-year-old Sheynnene Hazel who stole the hearts of the crowd at the Queen’s Park Savannah yesterday. Hazel delivered a powerful message in song to a number of calypsonians including Crazy and Impulse.  She knocked them for composing their so-called double entendre songs stating: “the music sweet but the lyrics raw, we can’t sing along anymore...”  The little miss from Melville Memorial received a tremendous reception for her flawless endition.

Then when the results were announced, her school-mates started a mini party in the Savannah, merrily jumping and waving their flags.
Earlier in the day, Yearwood called for “Donkey Power” to build back the country. As he did his rendition, he thrilled the audience with slick moves on the stage. Ashe on the other hand, had her own take on “Vision 20/20”. They both delivered great performances of their songs and tied with Hazel for first. Minister of Education Hazel Manning delivered the feature address before the competition began as a form of giving her stamp of approval for this year’s event. She reminded the students and teachers that: “The goal is not only winning, it is in participation, in meeting and sharing experiences with other young people and their tutors”.

The Minister also said, “As I have said time and again, when it comes to the education of our children...participation is important...failure is not an option! Excuses for failure and indiscipline are not good enough. We, at the Ministry of Education are leaving no stone unturned to ensure that every child is provided with the opportunity to learn and to succeed”. Patrice Roberts who up to yesterday reigned number one for the last two consecutive years could only muster sixth position. All the finalists were presented with Sunshine Snacks hampers by Basdeo Singh after the competition itself, then to the surprise of the audience the Calypso King of the World the Mighty Sparrow (Slinger Francisco) appeared and made his way onto the stage. With the help of the finalists he sang a couple verses of his “Education” and by their request, “The Slave”. Both were done acapela style.

The full results are as follows:
Place   Junior   Points
1st   Sheynnene Hazel   410
1st   Olatunji Yearwood   410
1st   Karene Ashe   410
4th   Rondell Donawa   394
5th   Ezekiel Yorke   393
6th   Patrice Roberts   380
7th    Roderick Gordon 378
8th   Chanice Mc Kenzie 368
9th   Kerissa Joseph  366
10th   Calvie-Ann Williams 365
11th   Meighan Mendez  363
12th   Candy Ollivierre 358
13th   Jamal George  352
14th   Shernaka Cain 350
15th   Dinessa Nelson 332