Memorable performances in the calypso and dramatic poetry categories on Friday brought the curtains down on the National Finals of the Children's Mashramani Competition at the National Cultural Centre.

The final day did not see any weariness of the previous days' quality and energy, but rather maintained the outstanding performances that have been a hallmark of this year's competition. And once again popular actor Henry Rodney continued to energize the audience with his comic style.

While most of the city schools managed to garner the support of the crowd and the judges, they were not alone, since there were many contingents from several out-of-town schools, particularly the Region Seven representatives, who managed to make their support very vocal.

While the competition did suffer its share of technical difficulties, the strong performances were the most memorable of yesterday's events. The Dramatic Poetry competition was marked by powerful performances, which were evoked by the equally powerful Martin Carter selections to which the students did great credit, that did not go unnoticed by the judges. Meanwhile in the Calypso competition, there were several credible social commentaries, the most popular of which focused on youths today as well as the road carnage. The day saw such performances as "Drive but Don't Fly," "Accidents Must Decrease," " Tired Wearing Black" and "Stop the Road Carnage," all of which called for safer measures to be taken on the roadways. And while one judge commented on seeing promise in some of the youth, he did note a lack of genuine interest as well as commitment in some of the participants. The extempore competition, a mixture of impromptu speaking and calypso, also managed to garner a lot of interest and crowd support, so much so that members of the audience joined in the activity along with Henry Rodney to entertain the crowd with their own concoctions. All in all, the day was highly engaging and a lot of fun and it set the stage for yesterday's Children's Costume Parade Competition.

The results of Friday's activities were as follows:

* In the Calypso Competition five to seven years individual Sarah Harding of Coomacka Primary placed first, followed by Gibraltar Courtland Primary's Ronita King and Santa Rosa's Sharon DeSouza. In the eight to ten years competition Regma Primary's Jannel Bobb placed first followed by Calcutta Primary's representative and C.V. Nunes Primary's Shem Connely. The 11 to 13 years category was won by Buxton CHS's Ernesta Nelson, followed by Santa Rosa Primary's Ronald DaSilva and St Joseph High's Echo Wilson. And in the 14 to 17 category, Berbice High's Nefertitti Jemout secured the first place followed by Bush Lot Secondary's Mighty Believer (Kenroy Fraser) and Mahdia Primary's Onika Alphonso. In the extempore competition Golden Grove Secondary's Mark Batson secured the win over South Ruimveldt' Secondary's Travis Chase.

The Dramatic Poetry Competition five to seven years individual saw Stella Maris Primary's Odessa Parris take the first place followed by C.V Nunes Primary's Satocia Pierre and Watooka Day Primary's Joel Gordon. The group competition saw Amelia's Ward Primary secure the first place, followed by West Ruimveldt Primary. The eight to ten years individual category was also won by an Amelia's Ward Primary student, Letrice Samuels, who was followed by Stella Maris Primary's Tonya Bowman and St Anthony's Primary's D. Jones. In the group category St Margaret's Primary ruled the day followed by Plaisance Primary and Watooka Day Primary. The 11 to 13 individual competition was won by One Mile Primary's Volita Alman, followed by St Agnes Primary's Sonnel David and Lancaster Primary's Alishla Waldron. The group competition on the other hand saw Nappi Primary take the fist place followed by Ithaca Primary and Mackenzie High School. The 14 to 17 category saw Carmel C.H.S student Keiko Gumeh take the first place followed by Aurora Secondary's Roger Hill and Mackenzie High's Kunya Sandiford. Meanwhile in the group category, Anna Regina Multilateral secured first place followed by Mortice Primary and New Silver City Secondary.