Just Us Kids wows at Junior Carnival

Hundreds of children participated in the annual Junior Carnival on Sunday 10th July, 2011, which started at 2pm, first parading through the city center in Castries before ending up at the Vigie Sports Complex.  Hundreds more showed up at the venue to show their support for the future of Lucian mas. There, the five participating bands (six in the individual category) paraded before the audience, enjoying themselves to their Soca songs of choice for 2011. The bands, Rituals carnival band, St Lucian Spirit carnival band, Dynamic Kids, Just Us Kids, Charmalions and La Mosaique participating only in the individual category, put on a splendid display for the judges.
The first band parading before the judges was Rituals with their theme Glory of the Ganges which was displayed in two sections; Bollywood and Bhangra. The first section Bollywood was presented with a wonderful choreography by the juniors displaying the movement of the dance their name was borrowed from to Ricky T’s groovy song “Indian Girl.” Not to be outdone the Bhangra section with boys in blue and orange and girls in gold and magenta was just as energetic.
Just Us Kids was presented through their choreographed dancers and flag bearers before their revelers unveiled the story of the various people who came to the West Indies beginning with the early settlers the Carib and Areaways to the Spanish, French and British conquerors and Africans. Their theme was “The people who came book 2.”
St Lucian Spirit  Junior Carnival band also took the audience to a moment back in time, this time with a local theme “Botanical garden” as a tribute to George V Park in Castries which was once a beautiful public park and flower garden.
The 2010 junior band of the year Dynamic Kids in Collaboration with Mas Action staged “parading Tomas” a play on the words to-mas and hurricane Tomas whilst Charmalion’s contribution was called “Spirits.”
The two largest bands were Just Us Kids and Dynamic Kids averaging approximately 250 junior revelers.
In the end the judges decision came shortly after 6pm with the Individual of the year category being announced first. In third place was Kieanna Etienne of Charmalion portraying “My Beautiful Garden.” In second place was Sylanne Raymond of “Just Us Kids” with Carib Warrior and in first place was Kamara St. Hill of Just Us Kids with Arawak Hut.
The Junior King award went to Jahleel Caldron of Rituals portraying Warrior Prince Jodhaa Akbar. In 3rd place was Jordan Augustin of Dynamic Kids as Power Boy and 2nd Just Us Kids’ Leroy Michel with Colonization.
Rituals also won the junior queen title with Tranna Foster portrayal of the Bhangra Dancer. In 3rd place was Shartoya Jn Baptiste of Just Us Kids as Queen Isabella’s quest, 2nd Jada Francis of Dynamic Kids as Rise of Fair Helen.
And the main award band of the year went to Just Us Kids winning over last year’s winner Dynamic Kids who came in second. In third place was Rituals junior carnival band.