Schoolchildren’s competitions kick off Mashramani celebrations
THE Children’s Costume Competition, organised by the Department of Education, officially kicked off Mashramani celebrations in Region Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam) on Monday.
The colourful event, which involves nursery, primary and secondary schools across the Region, is themed ‘Mashin’ with pride, keeping we tradition alive.’
Before declaring the contest open, Principal Personnel Officer  (PPO) in the Regional Administration, Ms. Rameeza Mulla called on participants to be proud of their involvement and do their best to represent Region Two at the national level in Georgetown.
District Education Officer, Ms. Lorraine English said the children participating  are very excited and happy to start Mash activities in the Region and looking forward to  competing over the next two days.
The rivalry began with nursery pupils performing in the Dramatic Poetry (Individual) section from schools at Huis t’Dieren, Abram Zuil, Queenstown, Zorg, Affiance, Cotton Field, Anna Regina, Richmond and Reliance hotly competing for the top positions. However, when the results were announced Affiance Nursery won the first place with the performance entitled ‘Mashing with Pride, we celebrating everything,’ followed by  Anna Regina Nursery with ‘One laptop programme all over the country.’
Third place went to Abram Zuil Nursery with ‘We Mashing’.
In the calypso section, Tapakuma Nursery, with ‘Le we go, go, go mashing’, took the crowd by storm and the three judges awarded it first place to represent Region Two at the national contest. Second was Cotton Field with ‘We want to mash with pride, keeping our tradition alive’ and third, Reliance Nursery with ‘Stop illiteracy’.
In the primary schools category, children competed in the dramatic poetry and calypso 8-10 years individual group.
One of the dramatic poems was ‘Slow down – drivers not concern who get mash down, all they want is the cheese’, performed by Mainstay Lake Primary.
Tapakuma Primary also thrilled the crowd with ‘This Buckwoman has nuff power and even keeping up with modern technology.’ Eighth of May Primary did well with ‘We have to change the environment.’ Taymouth Manor Primary also drew excitement from the crowd with ‘Madumattie’ and Suddie Primary silenced the gathering with ‘Street children.’
In the calypso 8-10 individual grouping, Mainstay Lake Primary got the crowd on their feet with ‘Mummy, mummy, where is the rod of correction, why did u throw it away?’
Secondary school students from Anna Regina, Aurora, Charity and Eighth of May took part in the dramatic poetry 14–17 (individual) and calypso contests, too.
The Mash programme continues today and Friday at Anna Regina Community Centre Ground.