Pre-Independence Monologue Contestants launched!
By Joyette Mills-Ward
Business Reporter-SKNVibes.com
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| L-R Rae-Dawn Thomas-Constituency#1, Shyan Liburd-Constituency#2, Zaiesha Joseph-Constituency#4, Onica Hewitt-Constituency#6, Nakilah Watson-Constituency#7, Shanarda Daniel-Constituency#8 |
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - SEVEN contestants in the Pre-Independence Monologue Competition were introduced to the public on Friday afternoon at the junction of Princes and Fort Streets.
In order to whet the appetites of onlookers each contestant did a mini-monologue presentation about different topics, ranging from education, sports, drama and their importance to the development and future of the nation and its youth, to the negative effects that teenage pregnancy, HIV/AIDS, crime and violence and gang culture have on society.
Rae-Dawn Thomas from Constituency Number One recalled childhood visions of persons eating from garbage cans resulting from the downward spiral that drug use could cause. Shyan Liburd, representing Constituency Number Two, elaborated on the benefits of sports as a means of controlling weight and staying healthy for youth and the general populace. She identified Marcella Liburd (former national netball player and her aunt) as her personal sports mentor, and noted that playing of sports at the national level was an honourable career choice.
Brittney Liddie, representing Constituency Number Three, lyrically described what drama is and highlighted its
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Brittney Liddie-Constituency#3
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importance to the development of well-rounded and cultured youth. Zaiesha Joseph of Constituency Number Four engaged onlookers on the topic of teenage pregnancy and its effects on society, citing it as a major factor in poverty creation and ended by suggesting abstinence from sexual activity could curb its prevalence. The representative for Constituency Number Five was unable to attend the event.
Onica Hewitt of Constituency Number Six expounded on the values of a sound education for every Kittitian and Nevisian boy and girl, quoting lines from a well-known calypso - “there’s no place in this whole wide world for an uneducated little boy or girl” - in an effort to strengthen her message.
Nakilah Watson from Constituency Number Seven spoke of the extent to which crime and violence and gang culture have grown in the Federation. She stated that the time for it to stop “is now”, in order for the country to continue on its path of progress.
~~Adz:Right~~ Shanarda Daniel from Constituency Eight addressed the issue of AIDS. She pointed out that it was caused by HIV and that it could affect all levels of society. Daniel ended sombrely by reminding all that without care and treatment death was the outcome of being diagnosed with the incurable disease.
The young ladies, ranging from 12 to 14 years old, are first and second form secondary school students. The poise and composure demonstrated by these lovely young ladies indicate that the audience can expect a show of very high quality.
The competition is scheduled for Friday, July 11 at 7:30 p.m. in Carnival Village under the theme “Dramatising the Truth to the Youth”, and is part of the activities leading up to the Federation’s 25th Independence Anniversary celebrations.
The Pre-Independence Monologue Competition was organised through the collaborative efforts of WINN FM Radio Station and Youth for Exploring Talent Theatre, which is also celebrating its 10th Anniversary of existence this year.
Proceeds are in aid of the Drama Camp 2008 scheduled for St. Maarten, and admission is EC$20 for adults and EC$10 for children.
