Aaron Duncan successfully defended his primary school crown while 14-year-old Melina Smith took the secondary school title in the Schools' National Carnival Chutney Soca Monarch Competition at the Queen's Park Savannah, Port-of-Spain, yesterday.Duncan, 10, defeated ten other contestants to claim the $10,000 first prize with his rendition of Never Let You Go.Dressed in red, white and black, the Trinity Junior student gave an energetic performance of his song, in which he declared his love for Trinidad and Tobago.
Second place went to N'janela Duncan-Regis of Eshe's Learning Centre. She won $8,000 for her performance of Real Unity, while Arima Boys' RC student Tyrese Williams, claimed the $6,000 third prize. Williams' song, Trini to D Marrow, also won the prize for best lyrical content.In the secondary schools category, Smith, of Guaico Secondary School, walked away with the first prize of $12,000 for her performance of Indian Words, in which she showcased all the Hindi words she had learnt.
Last year's winner, Arindel Seeraj, of Hillview College, claimed second spot with Chutney in Trouble.Suraj was a crowd favourite, as he sang about the controversial $2 million dollar prize awarded to National Chutney Soca Monarch winners who "can't even sing a verse in Hindi."Third place went to St. Francois Girls' College student Jerrisha Duncan-Smith, who sang Chutney Madness.
Heavy rain during the course of the day also delayed the competition and sent hundreds of primary and secondary school students scampering for shelter.