The Children’s Mashramani Competition Finals commenced on Thursday with an enthusiastic audience comprising schoolchildren in uniform and their teachers.
Attendees gathered at the National Cultural Centre to witness students and colleagues perform on stage.
The finals are set to take place over two days, with the first day featuring the Calypso and Dramatic Poetry Competitions and the second day dedicated to the Dance and Hip Hop Segments. The competition alternated between dramatic poetry and calypso performances, a strategic arrangement catering to the attention span and engagement levels of younger spectators.
Calypso Competition
8-10 Age Group
Competitors in this category showcased stage presence, audience interaction, and thematic costumes. Some participants faced challenges with synchronising their singing to the background track, highlighting the potential benefit of further musical coaching. Standout performances included Ashanti Garnett from Region 8, whose smooth, melodious voice effectively conveyed a message on road safety. Kymani Meusa captivated the audience with his energetic presence and use of era-specific slang, maintaining engagement throughout his performance. Overall, competitors delivered vibrant presentations, leaving audiences with meaningful messages. The winners of this category included; first place Ashanti Garnett from Mahdia Primary, second place Kymani Meusa from St. Gabriel’s Primary, and third place Uzziah McDonald from Revon’s Academy.
11-13 Age Group
This category featured diverse and impressive performances, with young competitors demonstrating notable vocal ranges. The stage was filled with expressive movements as preteens vied for the top prize. Each participant brought unique elements to their performance, making it a closely contested round. The winners of this category included; first place Odeila Pickering from New Silvercity Secondary, second place Stephon Romain from Christ Church Secondary, and third place Jada DeSouza from Santa Rosa Primary.
14-18 Age Group
The senior category saw intense competition, with high school students delivering compelling calypso performances. Some incorporated backup singers, dancers, and elaborate props to enhance their presentations. Judges took considerable time deliberating on the winners. Noteworthy performances included Samira Bisnauth from Anna Regina Secondary in Region 2, who impressed with a commanding vocal performance paired with rhythmic dance moves. Gardana Alberts of New Silvercity Secondary demonstrated strong breath control and vocal clarity, earning enthusiastic support from the audience. The winners of this category included; first place Gardana Alberts of the New Silvercity Secondary, second place Dhalia Amsterdam of the Tutorial Academy, and third place Kenesha Fraser of President’s College.
Dramatic Poetry Competition
8-10 Age Group
All of the performances were a welcoming sight to behold as the brave young category carried their pieces to amazing heights. Two standout performances in this category were Brandon Henry from Region 1 and Acquila Sinclair from Region 6. Henry portrayed an energetic grandfather, engaging the audience with humor and a surprise dance routine. Sinclair played an elderly woman frustrated with a cash grant registration process, delivering her performance with natural characterization despite minor technical difficulties. The winners of this category included; first place Destiny Abrams from the Sir James Douglas Primary, second place Jahajiel Smith from the Graham’s Hall Primary and third place Aquila Sinclair from the Sandvoort Primary.
11-13 Age Group
This category saw a mix of confident and nervous performances. Some competitors struggled with forgetting lines and stage fright, but many recovered well. One competitor even dissolved into tears as she forgot her lines on stage and ran backstage in an emotional state. Kareem Jabar from Christ Church Secondary defended his title by portraying a concerned police officer urging citizens to uphold the law. Trinity Thomas gave a moving performance as a poverty-stricken youth, bringing real tears to the stage and stunning the judges. The winners of this category included: first place Kareem Jabar of Christ Church Secondary, second place Ashanna Davis of New Amsterdam Multi and third place Trinity Thomas of Wismar Hill Primary.
14-18 Age Group
The senior competitors displayed skillful control over their roles and adapted well to unexpected challenges. Some performances garnered widespread support from fellow schools, occasionally disrupting the performers’ focus but also providing motivation. Notable acts included Lebrun Washington from Three Miles Secondary, who dramatized the consequences of delinquency through an engaging performance. Ciara Dowden of West Demerara Secondary School delivered a nostalgic piece on Guyanese rural life, enhanced by lighting and sound effects, making her performance particularly memorable. The winners of this category included; first place David Hackett of the Bishops High, second place Ciara Dowden of West Demerara Secondary and third place Shania Dawson of Hope Secondary.
The competition highlighted the continued popularity of calypso in Guyana’s interior regions, with Regions 1, 2, 7, 8, and 9 delivering strong performances marked by stage presence, confidence, and vocal control. The event underscored the talent and enthusiasm of Guyana’s youth, reflecting the enduring cultural significance of Mashramani (Deandra Daniels)
