The Role of Education in Promoting Prosperity and Controlling Crime

February 17, 2009

Leon Daniel is the Ambassador’s Song and Verse Competition champion for 2009. The eleven-year-old student of Diamond Vale Government Primary School topped the finals at the Queen’s Park Savannah on Tuesday, February 17, 2009.

“The Role of Education in Promoting Prosperity and Controlling Crime”  was the theme of this year’s competition, the 7^th annual contest.  Less formally, the theme was “To earn tomorrow, you must learn today – Remember, crime does not pay!” adapted from The Mighty Sparrow’s Song, “Education.”  Finalists from both primary and secondary schools across the country delivered the  message of defeating crime through education in  monologues, dramatic recitations, choral speaking, calypso, ragga soca, chutney, and rap. 

The winner’s monologue, “Voices,” told the story of a student who wins his struggle against negative influences and decides to stay in school and continue his education. Daniel’s was one of the three dramatic presentations to take a top spot.

In third place was eleven-year-old Jada Mervyn, of Dow Village Government Primary School. Her solo recitation “What All Yuh Thinking” earned her school a collection of books as well as a personal prize of $2,000.

Second place went to Celeste Reyes a Standard-Five student of the Bien Venue Presbyterian Primary School who performed “The boy who could have and should have, but didn’t.” She also won a collection of books for her school and $3,000.

But it was the Standard-Three student from Diamond Vale Government Primary who took home the grand prize of a computer for his school and $5,000 for himself. Leon Daniel’s performance captivated the hundreds of students, teachers and invited guests, silencing the Savannah and prompting the judges to name him the winner. Speaking to the press after the competition his mother Naomi said she knew her son had it in him and thanked his teachers and classmates for their support. Leon also plays golf and captains his school’s water polo team.

The U.S. Embassy in cooperation with the Ministry of Education and Ministry of National Security has presented the Ambassador’s Song and Verse Competition annually since 2003.

Please click here to view full Photo Gallery from event.