Music teacher at the Balaclava High School, Ann Marie Laing, walked away with top honours, $500,000 and a recording contract for a single for her entry, I Can Trust God, at the Grace Tropical Rhythms Jamaica Gospel Song finals at the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre on Sunday.

Before being announced as winner Laing swept sectional prizes for being the Best Performer and tied with 2nd place contestant Leroy ‘Ancient Priest’ Johnson for having the Best Arranged Song. Laing was also selected by the group of finalists to win the Spirit of Praise Award for being the most congenial finalist.

Johnson, who copped $200,000 for his reggae entry My Prayer, won the sectional prize for the Best Lyrics and took home an additional $50,000 and a trophy courtesy of the Jamaica Cooperative Credit Union League (JCCUL). 19 year old Tiffany Hall, the youngest contestant, took third place for her entry Lost Without You, winning $100,000.

The Popular Vote prize of $25,000 and a trophy from competition sponsor CLARO went to Raylene Lindo for her entry I Just Cant Give Up who also collected a recording contract for a single.

An elated Laing said singing is her passion and thanked the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) for the experience, which she described as refreshing and rewarding. The other finalists included: Jason ‘God Son” Lunan, Miriam Levy, Omar Douglas, Terrence Myers, Murron Lindo and Micah Ministry.

The competition which was hosted under the theme One Voice, One Heart saw the finalists engaged in outreach ministry at children’s homes across the island; a new element added to the programme.