The Scotiabank Junior Calypso Monarch is back following a two-year break due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Scotiabank’s Managing Director Suzette Armoogam-Shah handed over a $72 000 sponsorship cheque to the Chief Executive Officer of the National Cultural Foundation (NCF) Carol Roberts-Reifer, at the Frank Collymore Hall during Wednesday’s media launch of the 2022 edition of the competition .
On Saturday July 16, 17 contestants are expected to compete on the finals stage at the Wildey Gymnasium where the calypso and soca crowns will be up for grabs.
Armoogam-Shah, who said the bank was pleased to be able to sponsor the competition for over 20 years, noted that helping young people reach their full potential remains a key area of investment for Scotiabank.
She said long-term, social and economic prosperity in communities depend on future generations.
“When young people in the community succeed, families, businesses and entire societies are positioned to benefit for years to come. With the right support, children can realize their potential and unlock a future of sustained success.
“Our shared future rests in the hands of our young people, so it’s important that we invest in them now and provide them with the opportunity to succeed and reach their infinite potential. This was the catalyst for our collaboration with the NCF on this initiative,” she said.
The senior banker also applauded the Junior Monarch programme for promoting the rich culture of Barbados and the wider Caribbean, ensuring that it continues with future generations.
“They receive guidance and really sharpen their craft, understanding the intricacies of calypso, its roots and legacy. Calypso is considered the voice of the people and how sweet it is to hear from the voices of our young people, as they express themselves and really take the culture to new heights,” Armoogam-Shah said.
Also delivering remarks during the event, Roberts-Reifer expressed gratitude to Scotiabank for its sponsorship, and also thanked the contestants, their parents and mentors for making the competition a reality this year.
Carol Roberts-Reifer
The CEO said that at a time when children were forced to adjust their lives to accommodate the COVID-19 pandemic, especially as it relates to the online school environment, the Junior Monarch gives them the opportunity to express themselves and adults the ability to know what is going on in their heads.
She said Barbadians must have difficult conversations and listen to what children are saying through their language and rhythm and beats they are using to communicate the message.
“Scotiabank came on board more than 25 years ago with this competition and I cannot think of another event and another sponsor that has remained entwined and committed, working together, for as long as Scotiabank has been with the Junior Monarch Competition – in particular, in a year like 2022, when it is so easy for a commercial entity in this economic climate to decide ‘we have got to cut this one, we have got to say we regret, but we just can’t participate’.
“Or, ‘you know we used to do 25 cents and this year we can only do two cents’. Scotiabank is back onboard as big as ever, as committed as ever, as dedicated as ever and as invaluable as ever to the National Cultural Foundation, to the festival and by extension the development of our young people and we cannot thank you enough,” Roberts-Reifer said.
Junior Calypso Monarch winner in 2018 and 2019 Daquon Quon Alleyne encouraged the finalists to remain focused on preparing for the show and delivering their best performance on the big stage.
“As I close out a Junior Monarch reign, one where I have long overstayed my welcome due to the pandemic, special thanks go out to the amazing company that is Scotiabank, who year after year show their continued commitment to honing the skills of juniors and providing life-changing opportunities, through not only the general sponsorship of this competition, but the many workshops throughout the process which prepare our juniors well,” Alleyne said.
