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Emancipation Calypso Competition 2007
TriniSoca.com Reporters
Event Date: July 04, 2007
Posted: July 12, 2007
 | | Necoda Francis of St. Theresa's Girls R.C.
School singing "My Song of Freedom"
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The National Action Cultural Committee (NACC), in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, recently held its 11th Annual Emancipation Schools Calypso Competition July 04, 2007, at the Jean Pierre Complex. School students, accompanied by teachers, parents and well-wishers, from primary and secondary schools across Trinidad and Tobago gathered to sing and support their fellow schoolmates.
The show started with a typically energetic dance by the North West Laventille Cultural Movement Dance Troupe accompanied by their drummers. Finalist in the 2007 National Calypso Monarch, Jervae Caesar, also made a guest appearance.
Backed by the Earl Knight and Services Brass Band, the contestants performed creditably, singing about a variety of topics linked to the theme of Emancipation. Young Shontelle Yearwood of Scarborough Secondary School invoked the name of Yaa Asantewaa in declaring "I am the heartbeat of Mother Africa." Necoda Francis of St. Theresa Girls School received a rousing applause from the audience for her performance of "My Song of Freedom", while the lyrics and dancing of young Ferdinand Smith of Valsyn South Government School impressed the audience. Angele Alonzo from Sacred Heart Girls' School urged in her song "Light a Candle" to light a candle for those who endured for freedom. Nicole Jordan from Scarborough R.C. School declared in song, "I am proud of who I am, an African," explaining that in spite of the distortions of her history, resilience, strength and vitality lives on in her.
After the contestants in the 5-14 years old category, there was an intermission, followed by a dance item by the colourful Kishan Seenath Dance Troupe, which was well-received by the audience.
 | | | Amirah Augustine singing 'Africa is Calling' | |
There were fifteen contestants in the 15-20 years old category and they all performed with standards up to par with many adult Calypsonians. Amirah Augustine sang "Africa is Calling" in which she spoke of African roots and warned that even though "...they say we emancipated, we still separated." Kirt Ross from South East Secondary School gave a powerful rendition of his song "Slave of the System" in which he explored how mental slavery manifests today, and advocated that it is time to remove the chains of materialism and put mankind first. Megan Walrond of Corpus Christi College in her song "Liberation" declared that, "To be fully liberated, you must learn African history." Yasin Rashid in his song "Emancipate Yourself" saluted all the emancipators and heroes and advised persons to check themselves in order to free themselves from mental slavery. Leah Richards of Scarborough Secondary in her song "My King To Be", invoked the names of legendary African personalities such as Alphonso, Ja Ja, Shaka, Imhotep and Osei, making it clear that she is a queen-to-be.
The overcast skies inevitably brought rain, causing a delay in the proceedings. Thunder even rolled during the rendition of "Ah New Song" by Victoria Cooper of Cowen Hamilton Secondary School. Despite this inclement weather, the last performer, Juliana Alfred of St. George's College, who sang "Warrior", was able to complete her song, bringing the competition to an end.
All the Calypsos sung by contestants offered diverse perspectives on the Emancipation theme: some celebrated the achievement of freedom, while others warned of the continuing "mental slavery"; some saluted those who sacrificed and struggled for freedom, while others explored the need to examine history and African culture. It is hoped that more schools will participate in this annual event. Results of the competition are expected to be announced soon.
5-14 years old Category
Performer / School / Calypso
Whitney Henry / Scarborough Secondary School / Revise Your Definition
Clinthia Simon / Mount Pleasant Government School / Freedom
Shontelle Yearwood / Scarborough Secondary School / Pure Royalty
Necoda Francis / St. Theresa's Girls R.C. School / My Song of Freedom
Angele Alonzo / Sacred Heart Girls R.C. School / Light a Candle
Ferdinand Smith / Valsyn South Gov't School / Emancipate Yourself
Helon Francis / -- / Doh Forget
Jerisha Regis / St. Rose's Girls R.C./ We are Free
Nichole Jordan / Scarborough R.C. School / The "I Am"
Jahira Harris / St. George's College / It is Time
Adrian Jaikaran / El Dorado Secondary Composite School / We Say We Ready
Shinesse Simmons / Penal Convent School / The Home-Coming
Marika Mendez / Sacred Heart Girls R.C. School / Emancipation Message
Karise-Marie Rawlins /Point Fortin Intermediate / Emancipation
15-20 years old Category
Performer / School / Calypso
Amirah Augustine / -- / Africa is Calling
Amrika Mutroo / UWI / Set Free
Khalifa Hislop / Bishop's High School, Tobago / Freedom
Kirt Ross / South East Secondary School / Slave of the System
Megan Walrond / Corpus Christi College / Liberation
Latoya David / NABAC / Take Me Africa
Frank Moore / Tabaquite Composite School / African Children Rise Up
Tenaj Smith / St. Augustine Senior Composite School / Meaning of Emancipation
Yasin Rashid / Cunupia High School / Emancipate Yourself
Jael Paul / Providence Girls School / Why I Came
Leah Richards / Scarborough Secondary School / My King To Be
Marion Pamponette / -- / Emancipation Dream
Khadeece Celestin / Corpus Christi College / At Last We Free
Victoria Cooper / Cowen Hamilton Secondary School / Ah New Song
Juliana Alfred / St. George's College / Warrior
Emancipation Calypso Competition 2007 in pictures:
www.trinisoca.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=73636
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