IN what they have confirmed to be their last jump, Just Us Kids once again wrote their name in the pages of the Carnival history books winning an unprecedented eighth Junior Band of the Year title. The winning portrayal “Before the Sun was Yellow” scored a whopping 463 points, 59 points more than their closest rivals.
Royalites xTreme Juniors portraying “If I Could Fly” and Gros Islet Kiddies Carnival Band “Kwik Kwak” had to share the spoils of second place with their respective portrayals leaving the judges in a deadlock after deliberations. 403
Another tie was recorded in the coveted Junior King of the Band category. Just Us Kids’ Le Shauwn Joseph portraying “Jab Jab” and Limarni Lewis portraying “De Hammer Man of Steel” both scored a total of 439 points making them joint Junior Kings of the Band. Gros Islet Kiddies’ Ethan Peter with “Leve St. Lucie” round off the placements with a total of 402 points for third place.
The Junior Queen of the Band Category saw more of the same from Just Us Kids as they were present once again in the top two. Marcia Crick won the overall category with a total 454 points; her portrayal was titled “Mardi Gras” and Nyla Alexander placed second with her “Sweet Sound of Pan”. Royalites xTreme Juniors’ Neeva Fanus placed third with a tribute to the national bird, “Volé Jacquot, Volé”.
Just Us Kids made a clean sweep in the Individual of the Year category. Leading the way was Viviane Calderon with “Faces with Clown”. She was followed by Dahlia St. Jues’ “J’Ouvert” portrayal and Amelia Charlemagne with “Eyes of Folklore”.
The downpour that was promised that afternoon did nothing to dampen the spirits of the young revelers who in true carnival spirit, jumped, danced and waved to every beat.