Friday’s National Secondary Schools Calypso and Soca Monarch Competition exceeded expectations, with students delivering performances that many spectators felt were worthy of a place on the senior stage.
After a full day of competition featuring calypso performances in the morning and soca in the afternoon, Sir Ira Simmons Secondary School emerged victorious in the Calypso segment, while Corinth Secondary School captured the Soca crown.
In the Calypso category, Zalaya “Zizi” Fannis secured the title with her song “Zizi & I”, amassing 357 points from the judges.
Finishing close behind was Alex “Lexxii” Pinel of Castries Comprehensive Secondary School, whose performance of “S.O.S – Save Our Society” earned 354 points and the first runner-up position.
Raygena “Queen Gena” Victor of Patricia D. James Secondary School placed second runner-up with 347 points for her rendition of “Dear Daddy”, while Kenyan “Ti Keno” Osman of Vieux Fort Comprehensive Secondary School finished third runner-up with 343 points for “Teacher”.
The special prize for Best Stage Presence went to Anthony “Mighty Swift” Theophilus of the Saint Lucia Sports Academy.
The energy shifted noticeably as the Soca competition got underway later in the day. Backed by enthusiastic supporters, each contestant brought high energy and commanding stage performances.
When the scores were tallied, Kaylee Simmons, better known as “Fire Kay”, emerged victorious with her song “A Mad Party”.
The contest, however, was a closely fought one. Just five points separated “Fire Kay” from first runner-up Rickel “Baby T” Joseph of Patricia D. James Secondary School, who earned 375 points with “Ah Bon Ti TayTay La”.
Although she narrowly missed the crown, Baby T’s performance was widely regarded as one of the standout moments of the day, drawing some of the loudest reactions from the audience.
Khloe “Baby K” Joseph of Entrepot Secondary School secured the second runner-up position with 341 points for “Put It Up”, while Akayla “Ti Pima” Lewis of Castries Comprehensive Secondary School placed third runner-up with 335 points for “Pressure”.
Organisers have described this year’s competition as a success, pointing not only to the quality of the performances but also to the role the event plays in developing young talent.
“This is where we get the next generation of cultural ambassadors, artistes and performers,” said Tamara Gibson, Chairperson of the Carnival Planning and Management Committee.
