ST. EUSTATIUS--Sporting a Batman outfit, Dantez “Mighty Bomba” Daniel (12) was crowned winner of Sunday’s Youth Road March competition for his rendition of “Super Hero.” Even though the show got off to a very late start, a large crowd remained until the winner was announced.
There were four participants and many artistes on stage that kept the crowd entertained during what was a truly Caribbean night, with young singers from St. Eustatius, a calypsonian and clowns from St. Kitts and judges Andrew Richardson aka Baker Junior and music teachers Helen Hart and Neville James from St. Maarten.
Master of Ceremonies for the evening was Musical Foundation President Winston Fleming.
First to take centre stage in the Junior Road March Competition was Tarzz, who came out of a box while her “accomplices” dropped silver glitters from the rooftop onto the crowd.
All young contestants were judged on lyrics, melody, rendition and clarity. Besides, all participants were posed a question, which they had to answer correctly to be awarded 10 extra points. After the points were calculated Bomba emerged as the big winner with 274 points, followed by “Mighty Red Boy” Sjiano Richardson (9) with 248 points for his song “Wine”, “Mighty Tarzz” Tanzenee Berkel (14) with 230 points and “Mighty Singer” Diego Schmidt at 205 points for “Celebrating 51.”
The winner took home US $1,500 in prize money and a trophy, as well as a bicycle, school materials and a case of juice. First runner-up “Mighty Red Boy” won a laptop computer, a trophy, a Winair airplane ticket, a gift basket and school supplies.
“Mighty Singer” was devastated during the prize-giving ceremony as he found out he had not won the coveted crown. As he stood on stage in tears, “Mighty Bomba” made a royal gesture and took the crown from his head and the cloak from his shoulders and placed them on his fellow-contestant. The comforting gesture was much appreciated by the crowd.
