2004 Press Releases

Official Launch of Ambassador's Song and Verse Contest 2005

December 9, 2004

On Friday, December 3 at 9:30 a.m., Minister of Education Hazel Manning and United States Ambassador Roy L. Austin officially launched the “Ambassador’s Song and Verse Contest”. The Song and Verse Contest of 2005 will focus on drug demand reduction and the theme will be “Substance Abuse: You Use, You Lose”. The launch took place at the offices of the Ministry of Education, Hayes Street, St. Clair.

The Song and Verse Contest of 2005 will build on the successes of the previous two years. In 2003, the Contest’s focus was HIV/AIDs, while last year the theme was “Crime – A National Enemy.” These previous contests were also a result of U.S. Embassy, Ministry of Education and the Heroes Foundation collaboration.

As in previous years, the competition will showcase the talents of the young people of Trinidad and Tobago, while delivering a message promoting positive lifestyles and values. Contestants use a wide range of national cultural expression to deliver this message, including monologue, dramatic recitations, choral speaking, calypso, raga soca, chutney, and rap.

The initial stage of the contest will involve regional competitions, with the winners of each region then competing for the national title. Mr. Darnley Gittens, Schools Supervisor 11 of the Ministry of Education’s Special Education Unit, will again serve as chair of the Organizing Committee for the competition.