IT was a passion for singing and music that motivated Shaunghna-Lee Steele to enter the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission’s (JCDC) Gospel Song competition. On Sunday night, her entry Arise Mighty Warrior sealed the deal at the National Arena in St Andrew.

“It’s a bit hard to explain but, to make it simple, I am very excited that I won… Entering this competition, one of my main aims was to step out of my shell. I know I have great potential but nervousness and lack of confidence usually get the better of me. The prizes would have also been motivation, but I really wanted to accomplish something greater and I think I needed it to prove to myself that I am capable and all I needed to do is trust in God,” Steele, 22, told the Jamaica Observer.

She explained her reason for penning Arise Mighty Warrior.

“This song came about because I noticed that I, and others around, keep hiding away from the call of God because of fear. We often forget that we are depending on the strength of God to bring us through the battles (small or great) we will encounter. Just as fearful Gideon was called to be Israel’s judge, so too many are being called (saved or unsaved). It is just for us to trust in God and do His will to help to save the many souls that are dying in the world today.”

Finishing in second place was Dannareo Fearon with Order My Steps, while third place went to Dycinta “Sister Althea” Nunes-Holgate with Bawl Out.

Steele won sectional prizes for Best Performance, Best Musicianship, and Writer of Winning Song. Her prizes include $600,000.

Hailing from Buff Bay in Portland, Steele grew up in a family of seven and became a born-again Christian at 10. She said while growing up she entered a few JCDC competitions.

“I have entered the JCDC (Jamaica Cultural Development Commission’s) Festival of the Performing Arts in Music [while I attended the Bradford Preparatory School and later Titchfield High]. I also entered the JCDC Children’s Gospel Festival and the JCDC Big Stage competition. The only win for me in these competitions was in 2011 when the Titchfield High School Choir won the 11-15 category of the Children’s Gospel Festival,” said Steele, who worships at the Glorious Light Apostolic Temple in Bybrook, Portland.

Currently pursuing a Master of Philosophy in Geography at the University of the West Indies, Mona campus, Steele has no immediate plans to put her studies on hold.

“I have not decided the next step musically. I always thought about doing music alongside another career, but at the moment I leave what is to come in the hands of the Lord,” she said.

— Kevin Jackson