Port of Spain, August 17, 2020: As part of our mission to support youths in at-risk communities by offering cultural programs as an alternative to violence, we partnered with the ROOTS Foundation to host the Cascadoo Caribbean New Voices International (CNVI) Festival of Spoken Word 2020.
Amaris Noray emerged winner from a field of fourteen contestants ages 16-20 years with her poetry entitled I promise to. The contest was held on Saturday, August 15 and judged virtually with judges from the United States, Canada, Jamaica, Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago.
Chargé d’Affaires John W. McIntyre received a courtesy call from Noray today and offered congratulations. He was wowed when he heard a snippet of the poetry. McIntyre noted, “Amaris makes Trinidad and Tobago proud with her wit, her intellect, and her vision. On a personal note, she is someone whom I would love my own daughter, Emma, to emulate.”
Noray, a student from St. Augustine Girls’ High School, said she was motivated to enter because “I have something to say.” She plans to be a writer.
Prizes for the contest included trophies, custom-made knapsacks and facemasks, and gift vouchers for school supplies.