2008 Press Releases

January 30, 2008

Singing and Rapping to Avert Disaster:  the 2008 Ambassador’s Song and Verse Contest Finals.

On January 29, the height of Carnival season, Embassy Port of Spain held the finals of the Ambassador’s Song and Verse Contest at Queen’s Park Savannah before an audience of diplomats, dignitaries, and hundreds of schoolchildren from every district in the country.  Hosted in cooperation with the TT Ministry of Education and Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management (ODPM), the competition’s theme was “Disaster Preparedness Begins with You.  Get Ready – Better Be Ready Than Sorry!”  Finalists from T&T’s sang, rapped, and performed skits and calypsos and were later treated to a performance by soca star Maximus Dan.

The contest, in its sixth year under U.S. Ambassador Dr. Roy Austin, has focused on social issues such as HIV/AIDS, crime, and drug demand reduction.  The U.S. Embassy sponsored prizes of $5000TT for the grand prize winner, plus a computer system for the winners’ school, and smaller cash prizes and Scholastic book donations for second and third prize winners; ODPM sponsored T-shirts and bandanas for students; and the Ministry of Education oversaw transportation and refreshments.  The Education Minister praised the children’s creativity and those who supported educating the public on disaster preparedness, while Ambassador Austin reminded students to help their families and communities “get ready” in case of emergency.

Nikki Crosby and Ambassador Austin

A cross-section of supporters

First Place Winners-Gran Couva       R.C. Primary School

 

 

 

 

Second Place Winner - Rekhia Adams,    Diamond Vale Government Primary    School

Minster of Education Ester Le Gendre; Third Place Winners - Rasheda Jack and Aneisha Morris, Delaford R.C. Primary School, Tobago; and Ambassador Austin

Fourth Place Winners - brothers Joshua  and Jonathan Joseph, Atwell  Educational Institute