Winner, Weslon Samuels, was confident in his response in his question and answer segment.
Shakira Headley, the newly crowned Miss Parkinson, hugs Principal of the school, Ian Holder.
Weslon Samuels and Shakira Headley are the new Mr and Miss Parkinson Memorial School for 2018. The duo took over from Akem Das and Tyesha Drakes when they were announced as winners at just after 11’o clock on Saturday night.
Contestants in the third annual pageant competed under the theme ‘These Field and Hills’, battling in five segments. Each instalment saw contestants incorporating various elements of the theme into their presentation. From Aaron Trotman’s song which was written by Anthony “Gabby” Carter, who also backed him on guitar, to Dario Gittens having the image of fields and hills printed on the back of his shirt as he modelled his casual wear, the participants stayed true to the theme.
It was a keenly contested battle for the top spots as the runners-up were worthy adversaries. Second runner-up honours went to Jarred Carrington and Valicia Maxwell while first runners-up were Dario Gittens and Rashanda Hayde.
This pair were crowd favourites and were greeted with deafening screams every time they appeared. It was therefore no surprise when they copped the People’s Choice and Most Photogenic Awards. Gittens was suave in the casual wear segment with his ensemble, and his interpretation of Jeanette Layne-Clarke’s piece “Pick Pon De Board” was expertly delivered and well received. He seemed like a natural on the stage.
Hayde was also a formidable force. She was captivating in her red gown, which depicted the Gun Hill Signal Station on the cape-like back. Her response in the question and answer was eloquent. However, nerves seemed to get the better of her during her dramatic piece where she re-enacted a courtroom scene acting as a lawyer for a teenaged rape victim. With the assurance of the audience, she persevered redeeming herself. She was adjudged as the person best exemplifying the ‘Spirit of Parkinson’. She shared the Amity Award with Keon Lynch.
The eventual winners excelled in various categories. Headley was the Challenge Winner. She and Samuels had the Best Introduction. They were also in winner’s row in the Best Casual Wear. However, Headley shared that honour with Hayde when a tie was announced. The winning duo also secured Best Formal Wear and Best Interview. The newly crowned Mr Parkinson also took Best Talent.
The female equivalent in that category was Zaria Gittens with her calypso track ‘Questions’, penned by Ishiaka McNeil. In the piece, she questioned the use of technology. The pervading message was to not blame the person who created the technological devices, but rather the manner in which it was used. Her rendition and presentation were spot on and calypso can definitely be a part of her future.
The high level of commitment by all of the competitors was obvious. The male contenders were all dashing in their choices for both the casual and formal segments. Jarred Carrington cut a fine figure in his brightly coloured ensemble, which gained him an award for being the Best Designed. Valicia Maxwell was recognised as the Most Improved Delegate.
There was a full entertainment package which included performances from Ayo Kids, Amber Blackman and Shania Kishna. Soca stars Shaquille, Joaquin and Marzville were also in the line-up. Past student Amber Orano delivered an original self-penned song; and the Parkinson School Band had the attendees going wild with their medley of hit songs. (ST)