Young performers from across Guyana took centre stage at the National Cultural Centre on Wednesday as the Ministry of Education opened the National Calypso and Dramatic Poetry Competitions for Children’s Mashramani 2026.
The event, organised by the Ministry’s Unit of Allied Arts, marked the first day of a three-day programme celebrating youth creativity, culture and national identity, ahead of the Mashramani Road Parade on Saturday
For the first time, organisers introduced a digital scoring system, allowing judges’ results to be compiled and announced with greater accuracy and in record time; a move officials said modernised the competition and brought it closer to international standards
Assistant Chief Education Officer with responsibility for the Unit of Allied Arts, Nicholas Fraser, said the arts play a critical role in developing emotional intelligence, critical thinking and cultural awareness among young people.
“Mashramani is the heartbeat of our nation’s cultural expression,” Fraser said, adding that the programme reflects this year’s theme, “Little Builders of One Guyana: Learning Together, Shaping a Digital Tomorrow”
Education Minister Sonia Parag, who attended the opening, encouraged students to embrace their creativity and view the arts as a pathway to opportunity.
“Don’t ever be shy about your talent,” Parag told participants, noting the government’s growing focus on the creative or “orange” economy, which seeks to develop culture as a national product
Competitions on Wednesday covered calypso and dramatic poetry across multiple age groups.
In the 8-10 Calypso category, Zelie James of Santa Rosa Primary School, Region One, placed first, while Amia Peters of No. 29 Primary School, Region Five, won the Dramatic Poetry segment
Among the 11-13 competitors, Tatianna Benn of Tutorial Academy Secondary, Region Six, won the Calypso title, and Blessing Peters of Three Miles Secondary School, Region Seven, claimed first place in Dramatic Poetry with “A Future Dismissed”
Atiya Mohamed of Zeeburg Secondary School, Region Three, topped the 14-18 Calypso competition with “Hands Off Guyana,” while Kareem Jabor of Christ Church Secondary School won Dramatic Poetry with “Death of Masquerade”
The programme continues on Thursday with the National Dance and Hip-Hop competitions, before culminating in Saturday’s Road Parade through Georgetown, featuring nearly 1,500 students from schools nationwide.
FULL RESULTS: CHILDREN’S MASHRAMANI 2026
National Calypso and Dramatic Poetry Competitions
National Cultural Centre | February 12, 2026
CALYPSO – 8 TO 10 YEARS
1st Place
Zelie James, Santa Rosa Primary School, Region One
Performance: “Don’t Underestimate Individuals Like Me”
2nd Place
Heavenly Whinfield , Wismar Hill Primary School, Region Ten
Performance: “Do Wait Is Right”
3rd Place
Uzziah McDonald, Revon’s Academy, Region Three
Performance: “The Wake-Up Call”
DRAMATIC POETRY – 8 TO 10 YEARS
1st Place
Amia Peters , No. 29 Primary School, Region Five
Performance: “Hope of Silence.”
2nd Place
Shekina Emerson, Regma Primary School, Region Ten
Performance: “A Dream of Unity in Reality.”
3rd Place
Trivena Tyrell , St. Angela’s Primary School, Georgetown
Performance: “Mashramani Nice.”
CALYPSO – 11 TO 13 YEARS
1st Place
Tatianna Benn, Tutorial Academy Secondary, Region Six
Performance: “I Love My Country”
2nd Place
Hannan Ramsaroop, Queen’s College, Georgetown
Performance: “Little Builders, Big Tomorrow”
3rd Place
Stacy Mentis, Abram Zuil Secondary School, Region Two
Performance: “Our Country, Our Pride”
DRAMATIC POETRY – 11 TO 13 YEARS
1st Place
Blessing Peters, Three Miles Secondary School, Region Seven
Performance: “A Future Dismissed”
2nd Place
Trinity Thomas, McKenzie High School, Region Ten
Performance: “A Word Spoken Over Guyana”
3rd Place
Amika Persaud, St. Rose’s High School, Georgetown
Performance: “Lessons Beyond the Chalkboard”
CALYPSO – 14 TO 18 YEARS
1st Place
Atiya Mohamed, Zeeburg Secondary School, Region Three
Performance: “Hands Off Guyana”
2nd Place
Gardanna Albert, New Silver City Secondary School, Region Ten
Performance: “Technology”
3rd Place
Aliah De Lacruz, Santa Rosa Secondary School, Region One
Performance: “Young Teachers Plead”
DRAMATIC POETRY – 14 TO 18 YEARS
1st Place
Kareem Jabor, Christ Church Secondary School, Georgetown
Performance: “Death of Masquerade”
2nd Place
Ashanna Mohamed, Abram Zuil Secondary School, Region Two
Performance: “De Guyanese Chat GPT”
3rd Place
Precus Ferinand, Plaisance Secondary School, Region Four
Performance: “The Girl Under the Crown”
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