Emancipation Celebrations 2007
Sweet Freedom: Transforming Our Lives
TriniView.com Reporters
Event Date: July 27, 2007
 | | Eric Williams presents Giselle Thorne (Miss Egypt)
with the first place trophy
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The Region #2 Cultural Committee held its second annual Emancipation Celebrations on Friday 27th July, 2007, titled "Sweet Freedom: Transforming Our Lives". Inside the compound, beautifully decorated tents represented eight different African countries: Tanzania, Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, Egypt, South Africa, Ghana and Zimbabwe. In the booths were food, fruit, African cloth, pictures and art reflecting the Emancipation theme.
After Ms. Helen Wharton welcomed the scores of guests, the Picton Folk Performing Company showcased their talent with a traditional Belle dance to the energetic rhythms of their drummers. Two of their members then showed their versatility by launching into a rendition of Ella Andell's classic "Rhythm of a People", to which the audience showed their appreciation.
Veteran poet, 'Brother Book', performed a poem about what happened in Port of Spain during the 1990 Muslimeen coup attempt. Young Danielle Williams treated the audience to a poem encouraging children to get a good education. Also providing entertainment for the audience was the South East Port of Spain Dancers who performed a couple of dance routines.
The seven Emancipation Queens were introduced to the audience by the adept MC Jemma Jordon who read information about the particular African country each Queen represented as she introduced them individually on stage. Representing Ghana, Nigeria, Egypt, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Uganda and Zimbabwe, each of the Queens introduced themselves, much to the delight of the audience who showed their enthusiasm with loud cheers and applause.
The Queens and the countries that they represented are as follows:
Seven Emancipation Queens
Queen / Country
Sonia Kelly / Miss Nigeria
Giselle Thorne / Miss Egypt
Yolande Cupid / Miss Ethiopia
Beverly Sandy / Miss Zimbabwe
Pamela Richards / Miss Uganda
Natasha Anderson / Miss Ghana
Janelle Walker / Miss Tanzania
The talent segment allowed each of the seven Queens to showcase their talent to the receptive audience. Some chose to dance, sing, recite poetry or do a monologue.
Miss Ghana, Natasha Anderson, chose to do both a monologue and a dance. In her monologue "Awake My People" she implored, "Awake my lions and lionesses and remember the plunder of Ghana... open your eyes and see clearly." One man was so impressed by her monologue that he loudly shouted that she must win, even before the other contestants performed.
Another crowd favorite was Miss Egypt, Giselle Thorne, whose rendition of Maya Angelou's "Phenomenal Woman" brought loud cheers from the audience.
Miss Zimbabwe, Beverly Sandy, clad in bright red, yellow and green colours, also impressed the audience with her dance to the beat of African drums.
Following the talent segment, the Queens modeled African wear fashioned in the traditions of the countries they represented. Miss Ethiopia, Yolande Cupid, wore a stunning white flowing dress with a large insignia of the red, gold and green Ethiopian flag printed on one side. Pamela Richards, Miss Uganda, wore an elegant orange and gold dress emblazoned with traditional African patterns, with a matching headwrap. Janelle Walker, Miss Tanzania, was resplendent in a blue patterned outfit and thick cowry-shell necklace.
Ladies in the Nigeria Booth
During the intermission food, delicacies and drink were served in the various tents. Present was Port of Spain South Member of Parliament, Eric Williams, who showed off his dance skills during the intermission.
After tallying up their scores, the judges handed in their results. Miss Nigeria, Sonia Kelly, walked away with the prize for Most Disciplined while Miss Ethiopia, Yolande Cupid, won the prize for Best Wear. Miss Egypt, Giselle Thorne, won the prize for Miss Photogenic while Miss Ghana, Natasha Anderson, was awarded the prize for Best Talent for her dance and monologue.
Finally, the moment that all had anticipated had arrived as the first, second and third place winners were announced: Miss Zimbabwe, Beverly Sandy, gained third place position; Miss Ghana, Natasha Anderson, placed second while one of the crowd favorites, the stylish Miss Egypt, Giselle Thorne, was crowned the 2007 Emancipation Queen, bringing an end to the exciting event, with the audience showing their due appreciation.
Region #2 Cultural Committee's 'Sweet Freedom' in pictures:
www.triniview.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=189742
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