courtesy of: The Morning News
by Rosalie Klein
It is a sign of the times… a Carnival contest that has traditionally sported mostly male contestants was dominated by the gentler gender this year, and on Saturday night, January 21, judges selected two talented young ladies to wear the crown of Calypso and Roadmarch Queens in the Children’s and Youth divisions.
This traditional venue for the carnival music contests featured 10 groups competing for the Children’s title and 5 for Youth King or Queen. Winners were Queen IziIzellah Ruiz, who won for both Children’s Roadmarch and Calypso Queen with the songs “Carnaval ta Subi” “Carnival is Growing” and “Hubentud Elogia Otro,” “Youth-Honor Others,” respectively. The pieces were composed and arranged by Valentino King.
Aruba’s new Youth Roadmarch and Calypso Queen is Kyra Hoevertz - “Queen Kyra,” with the songs “Carnival Rocks” and “Let Me Hear Your Voice,” for Calypso, composed by Stefan Bartels-Daal and Edseline Figaroa, respectively, with musical arrangements by Stefan. Kyra also won for Best Costume Youth Division and Best Costume Children went to “Princess Pop” - Daniella Andrea Pop.
Second and Third Place winners in the Children’s Roadmarch competition were: “Queen Tasha” - Tashanira Rasmijn and “Kiziah” - Kiziah Trimon.
Second and Third Place winners in the Youth Roadmarch contest were “King Size” - Joshua Alexander Bryson and “Queen Harmony” - Franksjen Vos. “Queen Shake it up,” Priscilla Quant, was named Best Rookie of 2012.
