Friday, March 29, 2024

St Lucy overcomes

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It was all for gran.

Shortly after being announced as the Most Outstanding Parish Ambassadors for 2017 at the Gymnasium of the Garfield Sobers Sports Complex on Saturday night, Daimon Rock, who along with partner Jennice King took the fifth title to St Lucy, could not control his emotions.

Yes, he was overjoyed at continuing the winning tradition in the family started by uncle Tito, who took the prize for Most Outstanding Ambassador in 2001, followed by a fourth place by brother Dario last year, but the feelings ran far deeper than that.

Rock said thoughts of his late grandmother, Eudine Rock, came flooding back and he could not contain the tears.

“She used to bring me to this show every year, every year . . . . I did it all for her. I feel good but I just remembering her all the time,” the still worked-up Rock told reporters.

As for the beaming King, it was a case of perseverance paying off.

“I try so many years to get in this programme and I was never successful. And then this year I finally got in, and we faced so many challenges this year . . . . We worked so hard and I just feel good that we won this award,” she said.

On their way to being crowned, the new champs also copped prizes for Best Parish Project and Productivity.

In what was a keen rivalry before an enthusiastic and supportive audience, the team from St Lucy beat Francois Carrington and Keshanna Leacock from St Joseph into second. The St John combination of Kyle Prescod and Leah Howell placed third, while Reeko Deane and Shaneika McAllister of St Peter were fourth.

The St Joseph team also copped two second spots in the categories of Best Parish Project and Best Project Presentation.

There was no open disapproval of the winners, but there were some who felt the Christ Church team of Shenise Marshall and Raymond Thomas, who took the top prize for Best Talent Presentation and Best Formal Wear, should have placed in the top four.

A most anticipated section of this show is the parish talent and there was widespread approval for the people who took the top prizes.

With her Dress Code of helmet, bullet-proof vest and chastity belt to protect all the important parts, it was clear that Tamia Reece of St Michael would be in the running for prizes. She ended up with Most Original and a third for the Spirit Of The Nation Prize.

The Stringed Brotherhood was outstanding in the instrumental version of Gabby’s Emmerton and deserved the prize for Most Impactful Performance. The trio also walked away with a second place in the Spirit Of The Nation.

Young Akea Burton performed like a veteran and belied her age and she, too, got a deserving first prize in the Spirit Of The Nation category for her cover of Shirley Stuart’s Walk Away From Love.

Co-emcee Mark Anthony had a Steve Harvey moment during the announcement of one of the categories, but it worked for good. He announced St George for second prize in the Best Attendant category, and Paula Harris was forced to walk away empty-handed after shaking the hand of presenter Steve Blackett.

Harris would return a short time later in winner’s row, however. The second spot was awarded to Jacklyn Broomes of St Thomas. (YB)

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