Fourteen talented teenagers conformed to the theme of this year's Sanfest celebrations –The Arts: God's Gift to Mankind.
But it was 18-year-old Tiana Chandler and 17-year-old Simeon Peters who found favour with the judges through song and dance at the Creative Arts Centre in San Fernando on October 16. The show formed part of the 40th annual San Fernando Arts Council, National Junior Arts Festival Committee (Sanfest). From the get go, the ambitious teens displayed a plethora of well-rehearsed and well-choreographed talents. Peters, of Pleasantville Secondary School, gave a soul-searching interpretation of an African-influenced dance, which was choreographed by school teacher Keiron Sargeant.
It was like an African inspirational, done in contemporary style, and it triumphed over the other presentations in the battle for the prestigious title. The Form Five student also won the best talent prize in the male category. The announcement that Chandler was the overall winner in the female category came as no surprise. The sixth form St Joseph's Convent San Fernando student belted out the song made popular by the theatrical Phantom of the Opera, Think of Me.
Capturing second and third places, male, were Joey George and Shazard Ali, respectively. Shanna Taylor and Aaliea Gilding placed second and third, respectively, in the female category.