Children’s Mash competitions’ performances captivate audience in Linden
DPI, Guyana, Monday, February 4, 2019
Over the last week, the mining town of Linden was a display of iridescent colours, as pupils and students from the Nursery to the Secondary level, donned unique and creative costumes as part of Children’s Mash Costume Competition.
The competitions, organised by the Region 10 Department of Education saw hundreds of spectators flock the Linden Concert Hall and School (LICHAS) and the Mackenzie Sports Club Ground (MSC) to witness the calypso, dramatic poetry, creative dances, masquerades, physical displays and ‘skip-be-fit’ routines all performed by students from schools across the region.
The three days of events, which commenced on January 30 and concluded on February 1, have aroused the spirit of Mashramani in Linden. Although the older children did not disappoint, drawing the loudest cheers and amusement were the nursery level pupils who bravely put on a show with their electrifying performances, much to the delight of their parents and teachers.
While there could have only been one winner at the end of the three days, each student was commended for their highly competitive performances.
While a wide range of titles was chosen for the various performances, the main highlights of the three days featured the emerging oil and gas sector and the need for Guyanese to unite, despite differences in political affiliation. Patriotism and unification were the messages in songs, dances and dramatic pieces. Some of the titles for the calypsos were ‘Unity is the Key’, ‘Who De Cap Fit’, ‘49, and we going’ ‘Rebuilding Guyana’, ‘This is Guyana’ and ‘Celebrate Mash 49 with Victory in Mind’.
Results
Some of the schools that emerged winners were Watooka Day Primary in the 5 to 7 dance group segment. Amelia’s Ward Primary walked away with the 8 to 10 masquerade band competition, while the Linden Foundation copped the 11 to 13 segment.
For the physical display segment, Regma Primary was the winner in the 6 to 11 age group, while One Mile Primary emerged the winner in the 8 to 10 dance segment. In the skip-be-fit competition, the Mackenzie High School walked away with the winning trophy as well as the Physical Display 12 to 17 combination.
The Linden Special Needs School also captivated the crowd with their electrifying dance moves. The winning schools will represent Region Ten at the national competition which will be held at the National Cultural Centre in Georgetown.
Mashramani 2019, is being celebrated under the theme, “Celebrating Mash 49 with victory in mind.”
Story and Images: Vanessa Braithwaite