THE National Finals of the 2013 Children’s Mashramani Competition kicked off yesterday at the National Cultural Centre (NCC), with contestants from primary and secondary schools countrywide representing their Regions in the dance and masquerade segments.

The auditorium was filled with parents and teachers, as well, who cheered on the competitors from the respective schools as they showcased their talent to the judges.
Those judging the dancers were Nicola Hinds, Mario Wilson and Deborah King and the panel for the masqueraders comprised Clifton Pellew and Trevor Blackett.
The Calypso and Dramatic Poetry segment of the contest will be judged today and the choir presentations and steelband preliminaries are scheduled for tomorrow.
The sponsors for the competitions include Guyana Telephone & Telegraph Company Limited (GT&T), Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI), Jermins Enterprises and COURTS (Guyana) Incorporated.