CHARMED VICTORY

Barnes, a Form Two student of St Mary’s College, portrayed a multi-coloured green and brown costume titled, “Sting in the Sandstorm”, which was designed by his father Gerard Barnes.

Speaking with Newsday yesterday, the teenager could scarcely contain his excitement saying he was “very happy” to be crowned a Carnival king.

“I went in just to have fun and to enjoy the experience. I wasn’t looking to win, but as it was my third year I was just trying to do better and beat my own records. I went out and it was really fun and I had a good time. But when my uncle came later with the results, it changed from just fun to excitement and screaming and carrying on,” Barnes recalled.

In his first appearance at the Junior King competition in 2008, Barnes placed eight. In last year’s competition he placed fourth. And although the teenager was still “living in the moment”, he said he had already given consideration to next year’s competition and he was fully prepared to defend his crown.

“I am most definitely going (into the 2011 competition) to play and come first. The aim is to keep on going up,” Barnes said.

He described the theme of the costume as a scorpion, hunting and hiding between rocks in order to catch its prey. It was designed to allow Barnes to be in the centre of the costume carrying it without any wheels.

“My parents did a lot of work on it, but it was through the entire effort of my friends and family who pitched in to help that the costume was finished and the way it looks now,” Barnes said.

Junior King of
Carnival results

1. Matthew Barnes;
“Sting in the Sandstorm”

2. Gyasi Philbert;
“The wonder of Buccoo”

3. Kevin Lewis;
“Oil spill in TnT”

4. Kriston Chandler;
“Diola Drummer”

5. Emanuel Joseph;
“Massai Warrior”

6. Mickah Beepatsingh;
“Masi”

7. Shaquille Matas;
“The High Priest of Uakactun”

8. Rushon Riviere Alexander;
“The Ring Master”

9. Enrique Sham–Poo;
“Borias :Keeper of the Winds”

10. Denzil Superville;
“Denizen of the Deep”