The vibrant spirit of Carnival continues to shine through young calypsonians who were given tokens of appreciation for their participation in the National Junior Calypso Monarch Competition 2026.
A prize-giving ceremony hosted by the Trinbago Unified Calypsonians Organisation (TUCO) on Sunday recognised winners across several categories for their contributions to the artform.
Fresh from her winning performance of the socially conscious calypso “Role Models” was 11-year-old Junior Calypso Monarch Janaya Clarke.
Honourees also included seven-year-old Celebrit-T Charles of Lower Morvant Government Primary School, who was named “Most Outstanding Performer” for her piece “Only You Can Bring Us Back.”
Ten-year-old Amayah Wallace-Aniebonam of CTS Online Private School earned the title of Best Junior Composer with her piece, “Take Back We Nation” and the most outstanding performance in the 12–15 years category went to Khaleah Ramsey from Bishop’s High School in Tobago.
During his remarks, Vice President of the Trinbago Unified Calypsonians’ Organisation (TUCO), Steve “Ras Kommander” Pascal, encouraged the Ministry of Culture and Community Development to partner with the calypso organisation in facilitating workshops for young persons during the July/August holidays. He said this is all in an effort to ensure that calypso lives on.
“We need to understand something, try to help them to work, to create their own compositions. When they create their own composition it pays off because I hear the Junior Calypso Committee have a special prize for people who compose their own thing and when you compose your own thing, it does come from here, it comes from your gut because within your brain you know what you want to say and it is so nice when you can say to people what you want to say and see the appreciation. So let us work with them by doing that right.”
TUCO praised the honourees for their thought-provoking messages and efforts in carrying the mantle of cultural pride, reflecting the vibrancy and promise of the next generation of calypsonians.
This year also celebrates 50 years of Junior Calypso in Trinidad and Tobago.