Mia’s Hal Jackson 1st runner-up and...

When Mia Gormandy rendered her pan piece “Flight of the Bumble Bee” at the finals of the Hal Jackson Talented Teen Scholarship Competition on July 26 before the mature audience at the Reichhold Centre for the Arts in St Thomas, they were awe-struck.

The petite 14-year-old from Belmont stunned them. The bumble bee tuxedo with cumberband, gold wings affixed to the back, a complementing headpiece with antennae and a well-displayed presentation, thanks to a few tips from Allison Brown, were enough for her to capture 1st runner-up at the 33rd annual New York based competition. Mia follows in the footsteps of opera singer Trinidadian Renee Solomon, who won the International title in 1999. The lone Caribbean delegate, Mia competed against 29 teens from the US and Canada. Hal Jackson Talented Teen Scholarship competition is aimed at assisting teens in their career choice with the award of a scholarship. When the group of ten were selected Mia’s focus drifted a bit from winning the crown since, she told People “I was happy to reach so high.” Then the final five were picked. “I was so excited,” she said. “Then you’re standing there and they call fourth place and it’s not you, then third and it came down to just me and one girl.” In the end, Miss Georgia, vocalist Tatiana Mc Connico won the scholarship. Mia won a diamond ring, a gift voucher and US$2,000 scholarship money.

Under the theme “Carnival — What it means to you,” each contestant had to showcase their national costume depicting Carnival of a country of their choice. Mia chose the Carnival of her twin isle. Her costume was designed by Chris Santos and Gregory Medina. Her make-up was done by Kenneth Arthur/Black Opal and Cheryl Prescod, her shrimp-coloured evening gown was chosen by aunt Bertha Robinson of Baltimore, Maryland, organiser Debra Gift, and her tailored suit, by Sylvan’s. But Mia recalls her best showing in St Thomas as “TT’s pan ambassador.”  “They (delegates) wanted to know what talent I was doing and when I told them the pan, they had no idea what I was talking about. I got a chance to tell them that the steelpan is an instrument of the 20th century.  It was made in Trinidad and Tobago. It’s made out of steel and ranges from tenor to bass. Then there’s cello and bass. Then I was able to show them a St Thomas steelband. “I had a wonderful experience. Everywhere we went we wore the sash and I felt like a queen. People would tell meooh I love your accent.” I was privileged to see St Thomas, being there with the girls of my age group. It felt good to represent your country. “The experience has made me more independent, more self-confident. I’m not shy to speak up.”

Mia had a 10-member family crew, who waved miniature Trini flags, backing her at the event. She’s familiar to the spotlight after placing 1st in her pan category at this year’s Music Festival. Mia’ has competed in just about every teen competition including “Pan In Schools” (she’s currently the title-holder), Pan Trinbago competitions and “Twelve and Under” talent show. As a result of her impressive performance at the Hal Jackson Talented Teen competition, the St Thomas Tourism Board has extended the invitation for her to return to perform at an event later this year. “We are very proud of her because she always puts her best forward,” said her parents Ingrid and Mario Gormandy. Her brothers Oni and Kai are also her support. Her music teachers Merle Albino De Coteau/Music Makers and Patrice Neaves-Amoroso/St Joseph Convent are her mentors. Her role models remain her mother because “she works hard, she knows about good management, she’s never unaware of what’s happening” and, Liam Teague who’s currently attached to the University of Northern Illinois. “He has taken pan extremely far.” Although Mia’s pursuing Earth Sciences when she enters fourth form in September, her inclination is towards a PhD in Music and “blending music with computer animation. I see myself as an ambassador because I have travelled as far as Australia with Neal and Massy All Stars, then at this competition people didn’t know what pan was.”