The Final/Performance Round of the 2015 Malliouhana Poetry Competition was witnessed by a large and appreciative audience at the Anguilla Public Library on Wednesday, 13 May. The Competition, a collaborative effort of the University of the West Indies Open Campus, the Department of Youth and Culture, the Anguilla Library Services, and the Anguilla Community College, was this year dedicated to the memory of the late Cultural Activist, Educator and Writer, Linda T. Lake.
The aim of the Competition is to encourage literacy and artistic expression, as well as to promote social, cultural, and political awareness and the 2015 theme, “Jollification in the 21st Century – Forging an Anguillian Identity” (a spin-off of a 2011 title paper presented by Linda at the UWI Open Campus Anguilla Country Conference), allowed for the exploration of Anguillian culture, national and regional integration, history, community cohesion, self-determination, sharing and caring.
The Committee received some twenty-four (24) submissions – six (6) in the Junior (8 -15 years) Category and eighteen (18) in the Senior (16 plus) Category. The first round included judging of the “Poetry on the Page”, where Juniors could amass up to 70 points, and the Seniors 30 points, while the final “The Spoken Word/Performance Poetry” round featured live presentations by the Participants to determine the overall winners. All the Participants were presented with Participation Certificates at the ceremony.
At the conclusion of the event, Alysha Carty was adjudged Winner in the Junior Category for her poem, “Grandma’s Tales”. She was followed by Cimone Richardson with “Buh How” in Second Place and Jovasco Connor with “Tranquility Wrapped in Blue” in Third Place. Alexis Ryan took First Place in the Senior Category with his poem “Political Race”. Vanessa Croft-Thompson was awarded Second Place for “My Mother Mother”, followed by Timothy Hodge with “Tis Da Ting Called Jollification” in Third place.
The First, Second and Third Place Winners in the Junior Category received plaques and educational vouchers valued at EC$300.00, $200.00 and $100.00 respectively. The Winners of the Senior Category received plaques, as well as cheques for EC $500.00. $300.00 and $200.00 respectively.
Mary Kate Fox received an honourary mention in the Junior Category for her poem “My Place”, while and Oshane Johnson’s “White Sands and Clear Sea” earned him a honourary mention in the Senior Category.
First Place Winners Alysha Carty and Alexis Ryan will also perform at the Anguilla Lit Fest on 21 May. Ryan also received a gift voucher for lunch for two, courtesy Malliouhana Hotel.
During the programme, Committee Member and former work colleague, Jansie Webster paid tribute to the late Linda T. Lake and the Malliouhana Poetry Competition Plaque in her honour was unveiled by her Mother, Mrs. Lucretia Lake, her sons Clint and Kleonn and two of her siblings, Delroy and Pat. Speaking on behalf of the family, Mr. Delroy Lake thanked the Committee for honouring his sister and said that “Linda would be proud”. Casilda Thomas-Carty also presented one of Linda’s poems entitled “Sunset” as part of the tribute.
The programme which was chaired by UWI Open Campus BOT Manager, Dr. Phyllis Fleming-Banks, also included presentations by the reigning Junior Calypso Monarch, Nakia Webster and Committee Member and Poet, Sharon Lake. The Honourable Evalie Bradley, who is also a popular dramatist/performer, delivered greetings on behalf of the Government and assisted in the distribution of the certificates. Also bringing greetings was the Honourable Palmovon Webster, an avid supporter of the arts on Anguilla and one of the sponsors of the Competition. Community Development Planner, Mrs. Hyacinth Bradley delivered remarks on behalf of the Ministry of Social Development and Director of Tourism, Mrs. Candis Niles took the opportunity to applaud the Organisers and the Participants. Ms. Carla Harris (ACC) announced the Winners and the vote of thanks was delivered by Shellya Rogers of the Department of Youth and Culture.
The Committee thanks all the Participants, including Savannah Marie Croft, Royann Forbes, Ruel Ben Lewi, Althea Connor, Kareem Connor, Shemell Daniel, Kendeja Duncan, Keida Gumbs-Johnson, Yolande Hodge-Richardson, Hyacinth Hughes, Anita Martin-Ruan, Kissanca Richardson and Tamara Richardson; the Judges: Ms. Kay Ferguson, Ms. Susan Sayre, Professor Howard Fergus, Mr. Marcel Fahie, Ms. Ingrid Fullington, Miss Amethyst Davis, Mr. Keithstone Greaves and Mr. Felix Fleming; Sponsors: the Department of Youth and Culture, Webster Law, Digicel and the Anguilla Social Security Board; the Media, as well as all other supporters and friends for their role in making the 2015 Malliouhana Poetry Competition and the Tribute to Linda T. Lake such a memorable event.
– Contributed
(Published without editing by The Anguillian newspaper.)
