Lethem hosts successful Children’s Mashramani Competition

The Children’s Mashramani Competition 2019 has begun and the town of Lethem and the rest of the Rupununi have not been left out of the celebrations.
The Department of Education, Region Nine (Upper Takatu-Upper Essequibo) held its regional competition last Thursday and Friday.
On Thursday, schools from within Central Rupununi and as far as Sand Creek and Aishalton converged at the St Ignatius Benab to compete on stage in a number of categories which included Dramatic Poetry, Dance, Costume, Group Dance and Calypso.
Students competed in the age groups of five to seven, 11 to 13 and 14 to 17 categories. Some of the results of Thursday’s competition are as follows:
Costume (5-7): First Place – Arapaima Nursery represented by Taviea Mc Rae with “The Sunflower” and Second Place – Arapaima Primary represented by Dwileen Coates with “El Dorado in Reserve”.
Dance (5-7): First Place – Arapaima Nursery performing “The Victory Dance” (Only participant); and Hip Hop Dance: First Place – St Ignatius Secondary (Only participant).
Calypso (14-17): First Place – Aishalton Secondary School; and Second Place – St Ignatius Secondary School.
Dramatic Poetry (14-17): First Place – St Ignatius Secondary School; and Second Place – Aishalton Secondary School.
Dramatic Poetry (5-7): First Place – Arapaima Nursery School; Second Place – St Ignatius Nursery; and Third Place – Kumu Nursery School.
Group Dance 14-17: First Place – Sand Creek Secondary School.
The celebrations culminated on Friday with the students competing in the Costume and Road Parade which began at Takatu and moved to Barack Retreat then to Tabatinga Road into School Street and ended at Wadapna Ground.
Students representing schools within Central Lethem and the Rupununi showcased their costumes hoping to impress the judges and spectators while having fun.