FOR six seasons, the teenAGE Observer Expression Tours has unearthed talent from schools all across the island. On May 2, all the winners from the 2013/14 tour, and well-wishers, gathered at the Theatre Place in New Kingston for a spectacle — the grand finale of the teenAGE Expression Tours for 2014.

A total of 16 competitors converged to vie for the title of Jamaica’s most talented teen, demonstrating their skill through song, poem and dance.

Prior to the show, students were busy capturing the moment in the Flow Instant photo booth, feasting on the lunch provided by Tastee, all while enjoying the refreshing Cool Fruit drinks, offered by Seprod.

The judging panel was occupied by five adjudicators — dancehall artiste Chino, gospel artiste Jermaine Edwards, dancer Kimron, and representatives from the sponsors.

The show was hosted by Kruddy, who ensured that the audience remained calm when required, and very entertained and participative in other instances.

The first performer of the day was Ovasha Bartley of Camperdown High, clad in her uniform, with her original musical piece entitled School Medz. Her performance was well received by the audience, which erupted with applause as she exited the stage.

Nicholand Wolfe of Spanish Town High School delivered his deejay piece Got Shot with astounding clarity.

Next on stage were the representatives from Ewarton High School, hailing from the hills of St Catherine. Voice of the Ghetto was the name of their piece, and they performed exceptionally well, making good use of the stage and their vocal abilities.

The dance trio from Dinthill Technical High, Dance Revolution, treated the audience to well-choreographed break-dance moves and gimmicks, to a number of popular R&B songs with a rather lengthy set.

Trisannia Broughton of Edith Dalton James High was next with her dub poem called Beggar’s Delight. Dressed colourfully as a beggar, she thrilled the audience with her dramatic portrayal of a beggar making a decent living on the streets.

The HQ Dancers of Dunoon Technical High School were next. The group consisted of four boys, all very talented, and they executed well-rehearsed robotic and pop moves to hip hop and dancehall rhythms.

Next on stage was Edwin Allen High’s Sereika Williams with a dub poem Di Fuuucha Look Bleak. Her performance brought about a sombre mood to the crowd, as she expressed her view of violence in the ghetto.

Next up was the young man from DeCarteret College, Demoy Coke. The audience listened to his carefully structured lyrics, as he touched on various topics concerning the youth.

Winston James of The Mannings School enjoyed loud cheers throughout his comedic performance entitled Grandpa Wisdom.

The entertaining performances continued as McGrath High School made their way onto the stage. The large group, called Straight Up, delivered their piece Justice with high energy, good voice projection, as they spoke out against the issues of violence and police brutality.

Buff Bay High School’s deejay duo Rhadre Ormsby and Shabar Dixon had a powerful message. They reinforced the idea that Education A Di Key. It was a very lively performance and the audience reacted well.

They were followed by the New Legends Dancers from Eltham High School. Their energy-filled performance saw them gyrating to various dancehall and soca songs.

As the performances wound down, Sewyane Smith of Holland High School entered the stage to do his deejay mix.

Yallahs High’s Tomi-An Hyatt dub poem entitled Skoolaz spoke of avoiding the occurence of teenage pregnancy.

The deejay duo of Lewisville High School was quite dramatic and energetic. Dressed in matching plaid shirts, they spoke of School Girls.

The final competitors of the day were none other than Di Krew of Claude McKay High School. Their costumes and hilarious talent piece generated lots of laughter as they were “mad men inna dem jacket and tie”.

Guest performances

As the judges were left to deliberate, the audience was then treated to a performance by the BEAM dancers, who displayed their mad skills to rhythms such as Bumaye, Selfie, and other energetic hip hop beats.

Recording Gospel artiste Omari was also in the building, and he performed a number of his hits including Help, Jehovah Guide Me and Why.

The theatre erupted into screams, shouts and claps as Chan Dizzy was called on stage. He did not fail to deliver, as he rocked the crowd with some of his top tracks, including Hello Badmind, Strange Face and Loyalty Fi Loyalty.

Chino followed, and closed the show in fine style. The patrons were all on their feet as they helped him to perform his set. They belted the lyrics of From Morning, If Me Rich Tomorrow, Protected, and many more of his hit songs.

With the audience in such a jubilant mood, the winners of the competition were to be announced.

The announcements

After the performance, the audience quickly settled down, as everyone was eager to hear the winner, being hopeful that it was a representative from their school.

The third place winner was announced to be Ovasha Bartley of Camperdown, with Nicholand Wolfe of Spanish Town High the first runner-up.

The audience finally released their breaths and erupted in cheers as the winner of the teenAGE Observer Expression Tours was announced to be the brother/sister twin duo of Ewarton High with Voice of the Ghetto. Everone applauded them as their victory was well deserved.

Sectional prizes were also awarded. These were presented by Stacey-Ann Neilson of the Jamaica Observer. The prize for “Highest teenAGE Distribution” was awarded to Eltham High School. “Best Tour Experience” was won by The Mannings School, and Voice of the Ghetto of Ewarton walked away with the prize for “Most Creative Piece”.

A special prize was awarded to Sashann James of DeCarteret College, for lending a hand to the production team earlier in the day.

As a part of the day’s activities, members of the audience were given a chance to express themselves in the Flow Karaoke Face-Off. Two young ladies of Dinthill Technical belted the lyrics of Celine Dion’s I’m Your Lady, while a boy/girl duo performed Chris Brown and Jordin Sparks’ No Air. In the end, the winner of the competition was Chadique Young of The Mannings School, who bested his schoolmate Kevoy Taylor singing Miguel’s Adorn in a battle of vocal qualities. He walked away with a pair of Beats by Dr.Dre headphones.

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