Scotiabank still supporting Junior Monarch

Highlighting the transformative impact of the Scotiabank Junior Monarch Competition on young artistes across the nation, perennial sponsors Scotiabank Barbados has reaffirmed its commitment to the competition.

The Scotiabank Junior Monarch Finals is this Saturday, July 20, at 7 p.m. at the National Botanical Gardens.

Finalists in the calypso category are in order of appearance N’kyla, Hailstorm, Trinity, Potent, reigning monarch Sakarah,King K, Khaleesi and Bit Bit. In the soca category this is how they will appear John Boss, Leilani, Kari, Zarie B, Mr Showman, Jayden Inniss and Lil Stathis.

Managing Director of Scotiabank Suzette Armoogam-Shah.

For over 25 years, Scotiabank has been a steadfast supporter of the Junior Monarch Competition and has pledged $80,000 towards this year’s Junior Monarch. A reinforcement of its dedication to nurturing and empowering the next generation of Barbadian artistes.

Managing Director Suzette Armoogam-Shah reaffirmed the company’s continued support at a media launch recently. During her address to an audience that included chief executive officer of the National Cultural Foundation (NCF), Carol Roberts and other officials from the NCF, Armoogam-Shah expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Foundation for its unwavering dedication to the Scotiabank Junior Monarch competition.

She emphasised that such programmes are dear to Scotia not only because they provide young artistes with a platform to hone their skills and gain valuable experience, but also for their ability to foster resilience and create positive ripple effects on families, communities and the nation as a whole.

The Scotiabank Junior Monarch competition is known for its comprehensive approach to youth development, with participants benefitting from a range of developmental programmes and workshops.

One of these features, of which Armoogam-Shah was particularly proud, was the financial planning workshops. The senior official touted this for equipping young artistes with financial literacy skills needed for sustained success.

Scotiabank has invested $80, 000 in the Junior Monarch Competition.

“I am especially proud that we continue to work towards the elevation and enhancement of the programme throughout the financial planning workshops hosted. These aim to help our youth with knowledge of importance of savings, budgeting and investing.

“We’re helping young people reach their full potential. That remains a key area of investment for [Scotiabank] as we seek to help them become more resilient. With the right support, our young people can unlock sustained success,” Armoogam-Shah said.

Armoogam-Shah also expressed high praises for the NCF team. She acknowledged that development programmes like the Scotiabank Junior Monarch would not be possible without the hard work and commitment from the Foundation.

Hence, she thanked the NCF for giving Scotiabank the opportunity to partner with them once more. Additionally, the exec also spoke about the broader cultural significance of the competition to the Crop Over festival which is this year celebrating its 50th anniversary.

“Crop Over is such a celebratory time where we get to showcase the diverse culture of Barbados to the world. Ensuring the continuation of this country’s legacy is solidified when we involve the young generation and the Scotiabank Junior Monarch is just one way we ensure the popular lyric, ‘Crop Over, we love you’, stays alive’.

Participants in the Junior Monarch competition received tokens after the Financial Literacy Workshop.

She continued: “I want to thank Carol, Kevin, Toni and the team for giving Scotiabank the opportunity to work with you yet again in developing our young artistes…. When the young people of Barbados succeed, the nation succeeds.”

Admission for the Finals is $10 for children and $25 for adult. Tickets are available online on TicketPal.com and at the National Cultural Foundation, Lucky Horseshoe Warrens and Worthing, Abbeville Rockley, NU Look and CS Pharmacy Bridgetown, Emerald City Six Roads, Carlton Supermarket Black Rock, A&B Music Supplies Wildey, SmartStore Limegrove and Welches and Ah Touch of Class Lanterns Mall. (PR)