George takes Over-21 crown

Shaneka George overcame the strong challenge of nine other contestants to emerge winner of the Richard Stoute Over-21 Competition final last Saturday night at the Derrick Smith School and Vocational Centre.

For her efforts, she took home the top prize of $3 000, a trophy and bragging rights until the 2025 edition of the show. She did an amazing job, showcasing excellent vocal range and voice control as she rendered He’ll Do It Again by Shirley Caesar in the first half, setting the standard for the night. She returned in the second half and closed the deal with No More Nights by David Phelps. George collected 1 239 points and distanced herself from the other contestants in emphatic style.

Second place went to Kenyah Joseph with 11 87 points. She received $2 000 and a trophy. She sang And I’m Telling You and acquitted herself quite well. She came back in the second half with Adele’s Love In The Dark to complete a great showing.

Third-place finisher Lisa Hackett dazzled on stage in dress, style and her connection with the fans. No stranger to singing competitions, she paid homage to the late Carolyn Leacock with The Clock in her first appearance and returned the second time around with a worthy rendition of I Who Have Nothing. Hackett got 1 157 points and took home $1 500 and a trophy.

Another highlight was Zoe Armstrong who raised the tempo of the night with an upbeat performance of Cake by the Ocean by DNCE. She seemed to enjoy her time on stage and this proved infectious as the crowd warmly responded to her. Her second offering was What I Was Made For by Billie Eilish, and again she performed with much aplomb. Though finishing outside the top three, Armstrong could feel justifiably proud of her efforts.

Other contestants contributing to the night’s entertaining package were Jalissa Greaves doing Oceans by Hillsong United and Hallelujah by Alexandra Burke; the lone male in the competition, Shaquan Smith who did well with Creep by Radiohead and Boyz ll Men’s End Of The Road; and Jacqueline Stoute who gave her best effort with When We Were Young by Adele and You Say by Lauren Daigle.

Amirah Cordice impressed with her take on A Change Is Gonna Come by Sam Cooke and completed her night with a medley for her second time on stage. Kimberly Allen rendered the late Whitney Houston’s Greatest Love Of All and the Regina Belle number”If I Could. Alicia Alleyne did Listen by Beyoncé and Winner by Sherry-Ann Maughan.

Entertaining the audience while the judges deliberated were 2018 Teen Talent and 2022 Over-21 winner Jalissa Edwards, Rashida Codrington, and 2023 Over-21 winner Kibibi Greenidge.

The Richard Stoute Award went to Jaleesa Greaves.

(CW)