Koquice Davidson is the 2025 Tobago Junior Calypso Monarch.
On Thursday, nine young calypsonians from primary and secondary schools on the island vied for the title and the TT$30,000 cash prize at the Shaw Park Complex.
The Signal Hill Secondary Lower Sixth Form student is no stranger to the calypso stage, previously gaining top spots in both local and national competitions. Koquice captured the Junior Calypso Monarch title, earning 469 points with her heartfelt piece “Appreciate Our Icons.”
Thursday’s Junior Calypso Monarch competition marked the official start of the Tobago October Carnival.
Tobago Festivals Commission Chief Executive Officer Kern Cowan said the competition serves as a means to strengthen the continuity of the island’s heritage and culture.
“The Junior Calypso Monarch also represents our commitment to building and investing in our young people. These young performers are learning discipline, creativity and confidence, skills that will serve them and serve you all in life both on and off stage. They are the future custodians of our heritage, and they remind us that our culture is strongest when passed from one generation to the next.”
Placing second in the Tobago Junior Calypso Monarch was Khalea Ramsey of Bishop’s High School. She amassed 462 points. Former Junior Calypso Monarch champion, Scarborough Secondary’s Nataki Thompson, took home third place.
Secretary with temporary responsibility for Culture and Antiquities, Zorisha Hackett, noted that the Tobago House of Assembly is investing in Tobago’s students so that culture is injected into education on the island.
“Ensuring that we push culture to the forefront, as we have a mandate to encourage what is now known as the integration of culture, the arts, and everything else that makes us Tobagonian in what we have coined Tobago-centric curriculum, and so over the next few years, as a part of our strategic development plan, you will be having more opportunities like this one where we hope on days like today we can have students from all 57 schools.”
Next on the 2025 Tobago October Carnival calendar is Monarchs of Mas on October 17th.