The reigning Ms La Reine Rive stands merely five feet tall but the words that emanate from her tiny frame are enough to sweep any giant away.

Eighteen-year-old Ru-Anne Cabralis, a Sixth-Form student of Bishop Anstey High School, says being a part of the Malick Folk Performing Company has led her on a course she’ll never regret. A part of the organisation for the past eight years, Ru-Anne was chosen last year as the group’s representative to vie for the title of Ms La Reine Rive. She stole the show and took home the coveted crown, an honour that has brought its fair share of challenges but an equal amount of reward. “I got involved in the Malick Folk Performing Company because my mother said it would help with my co-ordination on stage,” she explained. Ru-Anne had been a vocalist since the age of four, alongside industry professionals like Christopher Tambu Herbert, Ella Andell and 2009 Digicel Rising Stars judge, Glenda Collens. However, as she laughingly blurted out, “on stage, my singing would go in one beat and my body in another.”

Ru-Ann’s becoming a folk performer was her mother’s answer to the problem. She found sanctuary in the organisation, getting involved in dance, theatre and music. When the opportunity to represent the Malick Folk Performers presented itself, she accepted and embraced the challenge. However, in her chat with the Guardian, Ru-Anne said, “I was relieved when it was over, it was really hard.” She described her reign as a great experience. “I was the first person to have ever won the title from the Malick Folk Performing Company. I was also the youngest to have ever won the competition.” As a representative of local culture, the Arima-born queen says the title offered an opportunity to act as a role model to young girls and now, with the crown set to be handed over tomorrow, she hopes they’ve been inspired to get involved in the culture of Best Village. Her strength as an individual has propelled her success. While she has studied Sociology, Spanish and History, her personal drive tells her that she will remain grounded within the realm of music.

“I don’t even want to do anything related to Sociology or Spanish. I really want to be a musician—a music psychologist really.” During the past year, Ru-Anne has represented the Ministry of Culture at various events. She has also been privileged to put on a concert for the children of the Cyril Ross Home. Apart from her duties as queen, she entered the bmobile Danceoff Competition with a group of her Malick Folk Performing Company peers. They call themselves the Dancaholix and they, too, are now champions. Thanking her father, mother and grandmother, Ru-Anne, whose sister has entered the cultural competition this year, says, “The La Reine Rive queen is someone who can represent the culture of T&T, someone who has national pride. It is a great opportunity.” Ed note: Tomorrow evening, Ru-Ann is expected to crown the new Miss La Reine Rive at Queen’s Hall,
St Ann’s.