Lukewarm start for JCDC's Speech Finals

THE JAMAICA Cultural Development Commission held its National Finals in Speech on Thursday at the Little Theatre, Tom Redcam Drive.

The first of the two-day finals saw presentations from over 100 students in nine classes, including Standard English, Jamaican Dialect, Dub Poetry, Speaking Ensemble and Storytelling.

It was a rather brief and lukewarm session. There were no fireworks in the performances and it makes one wonder, why a two-day national Finals, when everything could have taken place on the same day.

There were no real surprises either in the results. In the Standard English Class 2, Joylene Alexander of Jericho Primary School St. Catherine won the award for Best Presentation. In Speaking Ensemble for girls, Half-Way Tree Primary was voted the best.

In the Jamaican Dialect Class 2, Leon Simms of St. Peter Claver Primary, in a brilliant presentation of Louise Bennett's 'Cuss Cuss', thrilled the audience and convinced the judges he was the best in the class. Chammion Blake of Allman Town Primary, while riding a simple drum rhythm, dubbed her way through "Mi Have Mi Rights" and was declared the Best Dub Poet in that class.

Meanwhile, little Roxanne Thompson of Ardenne High School, with her entry 'Parents' caused a stir in the auditorium, when she humorously mesmerised the audience in Standard English. She was voted the best for that class by the panel of adjudicators. Kemar Nelson of St. Cyprian's 4H Club, not to be outdone, recited her Jamaican dialect 'Punishment' which took the top prize.

Ranique Brent Harris of Ewarton Primary, related the exploits of 'Anancy and Monkey' in the Storytelling class as the small audience giggled and whispered. Her on-stage gimmicks reminded the audience of the days when storytelling was the 'lick'. She won the award for that class.

The Mixed Speaking Ensemble award went to Threadlight Primary School, Clarendon.

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