–for Dramatic Poetry and Calypso competition

By Indrawattie Natram
HUNDREDS of children and teachers from Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam)flocked the Anna Regina Community Centre Ground on Monday to witness the spectacular display of the Children’s Dramatic Poetry and Calypso competition.

The event held under the theme,“Let us Co-operate and Celebrate Republic 48”, was organised by the Region’s Department of Education in observance of the country’s 48th anniversary as a Republic.

The programme commenced with brief opening remarks from Regional Executive Officer (REO), Rupert Hopkinson, who commended the efforts of the department for the hosting of the activity.

The REO said it is always his pleasure to be among children, whether through academic, social or cultural activities, and that while it is a competition, they should all see themselves as winners.
“Although there are judges here, no one is a loser; you are all winners,” Hopkinson said.

Using poetry to express themselves, the children called for persons to live in unity and togetherness and stop the disputes.
In the various calypsoes, the message was primarily for drivers using the public roadway to stop speeding, since it is causing too many lives to be lost.

Other schools sang about the ‘greening’ of the economy, and called on persons to become conversant about the environment and stop the deforestation.
The children were dressed in brightly-coloured clothing depicting various Mashramani messages.

Participating in the Dramatic competition this year in the 5-7 Category were Tapakuma Lake Primary, Huist T’Dieren Primary, Mainstay Lake Primary, Suddie Primary and Taymouth Manor.

The 8-10 Category saw participation from 12 primary schools, namely Suddie, Mainstay Lake, Tapakuma, Good Hope, Huist T’Dieren, Hampton Court, Taymouth Manor, C.V.Nunes, Riverstown, Capoey, Charity and Sparta.

In the 11-13 Category, eight schools participated, namely Aurora Secondary, Tapakuma Lake Primary, Mainstay Lake Primary, Aurora Primary, Charity Primary, Johanna Cecelia Secondary, Abrams Zuil Secondary and Taymouth Manor Primary.

In the 14-17 Category, only six Secondary Schools participated: Anna Regina Secondary, 8th of May, Aurora, Cotton Field, Abrams Zuil and Charity Secondary.

Meanwhile, in the Calypso 5-7 Category, three schools took part in the activities, namely Tapakuma Lake Primary, Charity Primary and Mainstay Lake Primary.

In the Calypso 8-10 Category, Tapakuma Lake Primary, Huist T’Dieren Primary, Akawini Primary and C.V. Nunes Primary took part.

The chief judge for the competition was seasoned calypsonian, Learie McKenzie