Rising Stars winner Elton Earlington to help basic school

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September 27, 2016

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Darien Robertson/Freelance Photographer Newly crowned Digicel Rising Star winner Elton Earlimgton celebrates with his $1.5 million cheque.

Darien Robertson/Freelance Photographer Digicel Rising Star winner Elton Earlington perform with Monifa Goss who finished in second place.

Darien Robertson/Freelance Photographer Digicel Rising Stars judges (from left) Conroy Wilson Alaine, as well as host Terri Karelle cant seem to stop smiling but Anthony Miller was stone-faced.

Darien Robertson/Freelance Photographer Reggae artiste Ikaya (left) performs her hit single, Ugly Girl, with Monifa Goss who finished second in the 2016 Rising Stars competition.

Darien Robertson/Freelance Photographer Razor B and his team of back-up dancers perform at Sunday's Digicel Rising Stars final show.

Darien Robertson/Freelance Photographer The 2009 Digicel Rising Stars winner Shuga performs during Sunday night's final at the Courtleigh auditorium in Kingston.

Darien Robertson/Freelance Photographer This year's finalists Gifted one perform during the Digicel Rising Stars final show on Sunday.

Darien Robertson/Freelance Photographer Members of the audience enjoy Sunday's Digicel Rising Stars final show.

Darien Robertson/Freelance Photographer Digicel Rising Stars Final Show

Darien Robertson/Freelance Photographer Digicel Rising Stars Final Show

Darien Robertson/Freelance Photographer Digicel Rising Stars Final Show

Newly crowned Digicel Rising Stars winner Elton Earlington has his sights set on helping in the transformation of Evelyn Peterkin Basic School in Trelawny.

Earlington, who won $1.5 million and an Alcatel smartphone after being crowned the 2016 Digicel Rising Star, was also given $1.5 million to kick-start a community project.

As a past student of Evelyn Peterkin Basic School, Earlington said he decided to help because he realises that the school is in dire need of proper bathroom facilities.

The school, which caters to toddlers, does not have a bathroom adjoining the building and so students have to trek outside whenever they want to use the bathroom, a reality Earlington wants to change.

"The basic school is a stone's throw away from where I live, and as a past student, I see the need and I want to help," he said.

"My daughter is two and will be attending the school soon and I don't want her or any other student to be uncomfortable, so I'm going to assist them with a bathroom."

Earlington, after nine years of trying, emerged Rising Star on Sunday, beating the soulful 16-year-old, Monifa Goss into second place.

Goss received $600,000 and an Alcatel smartphone.

Twelve weeks of competition culminated in a grand spectacle at The Courtleigh Auditorium on Sunday night.

"I tried out for Rising Stars nine times, and now I'm here and it feels really good," he told THE STAR.

"I'm very happy that I never gave up, because now I'm able to say I'm a winner," he added.

There was no head-to head contest on Sunday's final night of competition. Instead, the show was filled with energetic performances from the 2016 finalists, as well as past winners of the annual talent competition.

Past winners Shuga, Dalton Harris and Jody Kay James took to the stage and gave thrilling performances. This year's finalists, Gifted One, Chin, ANE and TNT also put in good performances.

The entertainment package also saw dancehall artiste Razor B touching the stage, as well as reggae artiste Ikaya.