Gabriel Mc Donald is the new Chaguanas Junior Calypso champ.
Gabriel, 12, beat a field of 12 fellow contestants during Thursday’s competition at the Chaguanas Borough Corporation’s administrative complex at Cumberbatch Street.
The Edinburgh 500 resident took home the $6000 first prize sponsored by Caribbean Housing with her rendition of Madam President - a tribute to T&T’s first female president Paula Mae Weekes. The song spoke of the gender role the President plays in inspiring thousands of young women across the nation to set their goals at the highest possible level. It was written by Gabriel’s grandfather Victor Mac Donald, 71, who still sings under the sobriquet Mr Mack at the Kaiso Showcase.
Placing second was five-year-old Zachary Ramsome, who sang Wait, while Jahia Asson, who sang Monsters Who we Help to Create, was third. The youngsters participated as residents of the borough and did not represent the schools they attend.
Speaking afterwards, Chaguanas Carnival Committee chairman Orlando Nagessar said he was elated that sponsors came forward and injected funding for the Junior Monarch.
This is what we like to hear, the next generation giving us meaningful calypsoes. It is so good to hear children who live in this community perform. I hope next year the situation with the economy would improve and we would be able to offer better prizes. Nevertheless, we are grateful to the sponsors who made this show happened.”