Chuck E Cheese, along with gold sponsor Dairy Dairy in conjunction with Sunny Bling and Brian London hosted the 2021 Junior Calypso Monarch finals on February 26 at Chuck E Cheese, Brentwood, Chaguanas.
Eleven-year-old Kai Anthony Salazar, from St Mary’s Anglican RC School, placed first with the song 'Bullying'. When it was announced that he had won out of the 12 contestants, he was overcome with emotion, mixed with shock and disbelief at first. When his victory sank in, he then did a happy dance, cried tears of joy and held his head before accepting his prizes.
Kai won $3,000 in cash sponsored by Dairy Dairy, a day’s car rental from SSS Rentals, the Singing Sandra Challenge Trophy sponsored by Sunny Bling’s Kitchen, gift cards from Chuck E Cheese, a gift voucher from Anton’s Gold Rush, hampers from Digicel, Dairy Dairy and Coca Cola, and ice-cream from Bon.
15-year-old Kurlise Bentham, from Bishop's Centenary College, placed second, with her song entitled 'Know Your Worth' and received a $2,500 cash prize.
Keshawn Gomez, from San Fernando Boys' RC, placed third with 'Count Your Blessings' and received a $2,000 cash prize, while Alaeja Gould-Ferguson, 12, from St Francois Girls, placed fourth with 'Haunted Memories' and won $1,500.
Isiah Regis, from St Anthony’s College, won the Most Spirited Prize and Jeremiah Petrovanie, from St Paul’s Anglican, won Most Promising, with his calypso 'Mr Covid Go Away'.. Jeremiah also won a recording contract with LA Records who were present to award the prize.
Other sponsors included NLCB and Johnny Q for the live band and sound system, Denithy for videography and live stream and Bon ice cream.
The children were treated to a special performance from the energetic and spirited Aaron 'Voice' St Louis who brought the house down much to the delight of all present.
It was a wonderful night of positive energy and incredible youth talent.
Chuck E Cheese TT Co-founder and Managing Director Joanna Rostant said "The idea was borne from a conversation between Sunny Bling and myself, to give the children of T&T an opportunity to express themselves in calypso, given the stress and emotional impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the children.
Javon Murray, seven, the youngest boy in Chuck E Cheese's Junior Calypso Monarch competition receiving a hamper from reigning Extempo King Brian London.
"Much has been done to understand the impact of the pandemic on businesses, adults and the elderly, but no one seems to take the time to understand what the children are going through as a result of extremely disrupted lives of no school, house arrest, no friends, sport and other recreational activities.
"Too often, we have seen the effects of the pandemic on gender-based violence, teenage pregnancies and violence to youth. We remain committed to the holistic development of the youth and wanted to give the children an opportunity to express themselves."
The competition was launched on social media and TTT on February 5. Respectful of COVID guidelines, children ages five-15 years submitted their entries online via Chuck E Cheese’s FB/IG pages in the preliminary round period, in which 40 entries were received. The entries were all judged remotely and 12 finalists announced on February 22.
On February 26, family and supporters of the finalists and other guests at Chuck E Cheese were treated to incredible youth talent. The issues presented in song ranged from dissatisfaction with crime, with specific reference to female violence, the new normal, COVID-19 to bullying, all relevant issues for the youngsters.
