The Public Library in the Valley was the venue for the annual Malliouhana Poetry Competition Performance Round and Awards Ceremony on May 8, 2024. Under the theme “If I Were You” the ceremony in celebration of the “On-the-Page” and “Spoken Word” Poets and the 2024 Culture Bearer Awardees, was attended by a large cross-section of supporters and poetry enthusiasts.
The Competition was open to Juniors (8-12), Teens (13-17), and Adults (18 and older). This year there was a total of 76 entries: 58 for the “On-the-Page” and 18 for the “Spoken Word” categories. The majority of the entries (35) came from Poets in the Junior category, with 11 from the Teens and 30 from the Adult category.
First place in the Juniors “On-the-Page” category went to Layla Grennell with her poem “Fleeting Heaven”. Aajah Angel Joseph took second place, while Ryan Lynch captured third place. Arudra Bharrat, Khawaja Woods, Darielle Carty, Azarel Cupid, Sakura Davis, Anna Mialkovsha and Liam Webster received Honourable Mentions.
In the Teens “On-the-Page” category, Josiah Richardson took first place with his poem “A Journey Through Dreams & Seas” followed by Jaesean Harrigan in second place and Siena Wojack in third place. Honourable mentions went to Louis Wu, Chaundra Patterson and Jamyoi Hodge.
Vanessa Croft captured first place with her poem “Love, Love, Love” in the Adult “On-the-Page” category. Mark Quirk was awarded second place, followed by Nekaybaw Vanterpool in third place. Rosanna Browne and Amelia Olivacce received honourable mentions for their poems.
In the “Spoken Word” round Cyan Carty claimed first place in the Juniors’ category with her poem “Free Birdies”. Darielle Carty was awarded second place and Camia Gumbs took third. Krisneily Rey and Amaris Thompson received honourable mentions for their poems. In the Adult category, T’arah Edwards took first place with her poem “To Teach”. Alexis Ryan placed second, and Nekaybaw Vanterpool was awarded third place.
Each of the participants received a Certificate of Participation and the Winners of each category were presented with plaques and monetary prize vouchers. Those who placed second and third or received honourable mentions also received certificates and monetary prize vouchers.
During the Ceremony, the Organising Committee paid tribute to the 2024 Culture Bearer Awardees: Mr. A. Nathaniel “Nat” Hodge MBE, Ms. Joan Carty, and Mr. Keith “Tampa” Gumbs. The Awardees were recognized for their contributions in the preservation of Anguillian culture through the arts and the written and spoken word. Ms. Brenda Huggins, daughter of Keith Gumbs received the Award on his behalf, while Ms. Charoney Carty accepted the award on behalf of her aunt, Joan Carty. Mr. Nat Hodge was later presented with his award by members of the Organising Committee.
The programme also included an opening prayer by the Chief Education Officer, Mr. Bren Romney, musical renditions by Ms. Mmelona Hughes and Selinas Hughes, Roots Binghi and Bankie Banx. Also in attendance was the Honourable Minister of Social Development, Ms. Dee-Ann Kentish-Rogers, who applauded the Organising Committee and saluted the participants and the 2024 Culture Bearer Awardees. Chairperson for the evening was Dr. Phyllis Fleming-Banks, while Ms. Jansie Webster, Ms. Avon Carty, Ms. Carla Harris, Ms. Anika Hughes and Mr. Bren Romney assisted with the presentations. Ms. René Henry wrapped up the evening by delivering the vote of thanks on behalf of the Organising Committee.
The Committee has expressed its appreciation to the judges: Mrs. Patricia Adams, Mrs. Rosena Brooks, Ms. Rochelle Ward, Ms. Jane Grell, Mr. Felix Fleming, Mr. Fabian Badejo, Ms. Trudy Nixon and Ms. Farrah Banks; guest artistes, Bankie Banks, Roots Binghi, Ms. Mmelona Hughes and Ms. Selinas Huges. Special thanks were also extended to sponsors and partners: Malliouhana Anico Insurance, Anguilla Electricity Company, Liberty Co-Operative Credit Union, Alliance Insurance, Coral Reef Bookstore, Sharky’s Restaurant, Radio Anguilla, Ivor Hodge, Lloyd’s LIVE, Department of Youth and Culture, Department of Education, Music Department of the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School, and all other supporters and friends for making the spectacular evening a success.
The Malliouhana Poetry Competition is organised by The University of the West Indies Global Campus, Anguilla in collaboration with the Anguilla Library Service, the Department of Youth and Culture and the Department of Education. The event continues to encourage literacy and artistic expression, as well as to promote an ethos of social, cultural, and political awareness, by celebrating and paying tribute to local Poets and Culture Bearers.
