There is a new king and queen at Parkinson Memorial School.
Jonathan Carter and Svetlana Arneau were crowned Mr & Miss Parkinson School on Saturday night, in front a jubilant crowd in the packed school auditorium.
Five female and male contestants vied fiercely for the coveted titles. They were judged in four categories: casual wear, talent, formal wear, and question and answer.
Apart from being the newest royalty, Carter also won Most Dedicated Competitor, Best Casual Male and Best Interview Male; while Arneau won People’s Choice Female, Challenge Winner Female, Best Casual Female, Best Formal Wear and Best Interview Female.
Sharico Cumberbatch was named first runner-up in the males while Aaron Trotman copped second runner-up. The first runner-up in the females was Aaliyah Yearwood and Izonta Spencer was named second runner-up.
The night was filled with enjoyable entertainment, with the talent segment showcasing weeks of hard work by the ten youngsters. It was clear that much time, effort and energy went into making sure the entire production was top notch.
MC for the night, Kofi Branch did an excellent job in ensuring things ran smoothly.
There were five dramatic presentations while others sang and danced.
In the females section, final contestant Yearwood brought the house down with her hilarious piece about travelling on a minibus. Not only was it well-penned but it was delightfully entertaining as well. She related in her piece that the driving was fast and reckless and the conductor unkempt and unruly. But she was not only critical of the driver and conductor. She had some lashes for a German visitor, a “parro” and a school girl. By the end of the eventful journey, Yearwood vowed never to step foot in a PSV again and she left the crowd in the auditorium in an uproar. She rightly copped the Best Talent Female award.
Endia Holder tackled the issue of crime and violence with an emotive piece which was attributed to “gran”. She told the story of her friend, Amanda, who was shot right next to her. She queried why Bajans seemed more interested in videotaping these incidents than helping each other.
Spencer’s piece reminded the audience and the judges that it is not where you came from but where you are going. She proclaimed she was a proud product of “those schools” and then named some Bajans who excelled after attending “those schools”, including Edwin Yearwood, Lil Rick, Malcolm Marshall and Akela Jones.
Arneau did a riveting piece on cancer and fighting back. After repeatedly lamenting “why me?” she declared that: “The cure is love.”
Jireh Bryan, depicting a warrior princess, danced her way into the hearts of the judges and audience.
In the males section, Cumberbatch also did a dramatic piece. He lamented the responsibilities of being a child but having to raise siblings as well. He questioned his mother about the seven children she had and the whereabouts of their fathers. He cried that it was taking a toll on him as he often got to school late, was always tired and was not enjoying his youth. The lyrics and message were strong, and so was his delivery.
Lamario Springer danced to Whitney Houston’s I Have Nothing with a female partner.
Dressed like a chef, Trotman sang about throwing away cou-cou and callaloo for macaroni pie, while Ramon Burke sang Sam Smith’s I’m Not the Only One. Carter also sang. (IMC)
