Aberdeen High tops JCDC competition

Aberdeen High School stood out in the recent St Elizabeth Parish Finals of the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) Speech Competition.

All three Aberdeen High School groups rocked the St Matthew's Anglican Church Hall in Santa Cruz with gold-medal performances.

Trisanya Scarlett, Donique Nelson, Daniela Delisser and Ariel Robinson with their Girls Disappointment entry, scored the highest points, 92.5, to top the Experimental Speaking Ensemble Under-19 section.

Brittany Thompson, Tasheka Blake, Tashara Brown, Kayanna Edwards, Adalee Richards and Khaveen Horne performed Mi Neva Want It, to score 92 points in the Under-15 Dub Poetry Ensemble section.

In the Dub Poetry Ensemble for Under-19s, the Aberdeen High group of Marlon Carneigie, Nickoy Rhodes, Ricardo Clayton, Kevon Griffiths, Daniela Delisser, Derian Spence, Donique Nelson and Trisanya Scarlett scored 91 points for their piece Conscience, which garnered 91 points.

Drummers Zockrie Chambers and Salmino Davis supported the groups.

Kendrea Freckleton and Kimloy Williams, Aberdeen High's coaches, were elated, describing the performances of the students as "awesome."

"Our students demonstrated self-motivation, as they continuously encouraged each other to do well," said Freckleton. "We had our challenges. However, we were able to overcome them by the enthusiasm and effort they put in."

Williams pointed to evening classes and school-based assessment work as challenges that made it difficult for students to rehearse.

"We also had challenges as it relates to resources," Williams said, while noting "we have only a small drum, which is not the required drum".

The coaches extended gratitude to other staff members who supported them throughout their preparations.

Freckleton promised: "We are currently working on our weak areas as our aim is to snatch a national award."

In the Jamaican Poems Sections, the gold medal winners were Ishameil Samuels of Black River Primary and Infant with Gate Man, and Lacovia High's Shannon Hutchinson, who performed Poverty in the Under-12 section.

Utah Nembhard scored 91 points with his entry, Tired A Dat, Tired A Dis, in the Mixed Standard and Jamaican Poem entry.

Day two of the speech competition will be held on March 22, while the music and dance competitions will be held on March 15 and 20, respectively.

All will be held at St Matthew's.