Truly enjoyable experience for Sammy G

Reigning Junior Monarch in the 13-18 category Samantha ‘Sammy G’ Greaves, returned to Barbados from her Trinidad exchange with fire in her eyes and ready to take crown #3 in her final year of the Scotiabank Junior Calypso Monarch programme. That zest for success also extends to the Pic-O-De-Crop and Sweet Soca competitions where the eighteen year old is expected to compete this year.

Sammy G made the announcement to the reporters that greeted her on arrival at GAIA last Tuesday, February 10th from an exchange programme to the twin island republic Trinidad & Tobago made possible compliments the Trinbago Unified Calypsonians’ Organisation (TUCO) North Zone. The exchange afforded her an opportunity to perform on the Trinidadian National Junior Calypso Monarch stage.

In speaking about her experience she noted that they were many things that the two countries could learn from each other, but the things that left a lasting impression on her mind were the surprising heavy involvement from the schools, the fact that it seemed to be all about the children with their participation in every aspect from performance to technicals, and the strong camaraderie between competitors.

Sammy remarked, “We could learn from their spirit of camaraderie during competition, children can be children and there is no tension backstage.  I also liked the fact that there were children as emcees, handling technicals (as stagehands, assisting with sound, lighting…everything), with the exception of the band.  The attendance of supporters from each school reminded me of Interschool Sports.  It was a lot more fun this time around and I truly enjoyed the experience.”

Ranaan Hackett, Junior Calypso Monarch in the 8-12 category became the first winner in his age group to accompany the 13-18 Monarch on this Trinidad tour compliments Scotiabank.  Though he was just an observer, Ranaan welcomed the opportunity and even stood in as a backup singer for Sammy G during her guest performance at the Trinidad National Junior Calypso Monarch competition.

In their usual show of support Scotiabank’s Senior Marketing Manager, Lisa Cole joined the welcome back party showering the Junior Monarchs with grab bags filled with branded goodies.