2005 Press Releases

Ambassador's Song and Verse Contest 2005 Finals

January 14, 2005

Substance Abuse – You use, You Lose

On Tuesday, January 25, 2005 U.S. Ambassador Dr. Roy L. Austin, representatives of the Ministry of Education and The Heroes Foundation will hold the finals of the Ambassador’s Song and Verse Contest 2005 at the Queen’s Park Savannah at 9.00 a.m. The theme this year is “Substance Abuse – You Use, You Lose”.

The winners of the National Final will receive the following prizes:
First Place – Trophy plus TT$5,000.00
Second Place – Trophy plus TT$3,000.00
Third Place – Trophy plus TT$2,000.00

The Song and Verse contest exhibits a range of national cultural expressions including calypso, soca, rapso, chutney, dramatic recitations and rap and is designed to highlight to the national community and especially the youth of the negative consequences of substance abuse.

The regional finals will be held throughout the following eight districts of Trinidad and Tobago and will all begin at 9:00 am:

Tuesday, January 18, 2005
Victoria District Final at the San Fernando East Junior Secondary School, San Fernando

Wednesday, January 19, 2005
Tobago District Final at the Shaw Park Cultural Complex, Scarborough

Thursday, January 20, 2005
Port of Spain and environs district at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Port of Spain
St. George East District at the Bonair High School, Arouca

Friday, January 21, 2005
South Eastern District at the Rio Claro High School, Rio Claro
North Eastern District at the Valencia High School, Valencia
Caroni Education District at the Preysal High School, Couva
St. Patrick Education District at the Penal R.C. Church Hall, Penal

The finalists from the district finals will receive the following prizes:
First Place – Trophy plus TT$1,000.00
Second Place – Trophy plus TT$600.00
Third Place – Trophy plus TT$300.00

All events are free and the public is encouraged to attend. The Scarborough R.C. School representing the Tobago School District has won the national competition in 2003 and 2004 performing on the theme “Reducing the stigma of HIV/AIDS in Trinidad and Tobago” in 2003 and “Crime – A National Enemy” in 2004.