Trinity College Takes PanknowRama Champs Title

Port of Spain, Trinidad: Monday July 6, 2015: It was jubilation galore, as students of Trinity College, Maraval, were adjudged winners of the 2015 PanKnowRama Secondary Schools Quiz, held last Monday at the Faculty of Engineering, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine. The quiz which was hosted by the International Conference and Panorama (ICP) and Pan Trinbago was officially sponsored by Republic Bank Limited.

Under the Bank’s ground-breaking, social investment programme, the Power to Make a Difference, the quiz was aimed at increasing the shared, national knowledge based around our national instrument, while increasing the involvement and participation of our youth. A total of 25 Secondary Schools representing Trinidad and Tobago from four zones (South, East, Port of Spain and Tobago) competed for over $100,000 in prizes at the competition. At the preliminary round which took place from June 2-8, 2015, 10 schools advanced to the finals to compete for the grand prize.

Delivering remarks on behalf of the Bank, Lisa Mc Carthy, Marketing Manager, Customer Engagement, said, based on the talents displayed from PanKNOWRama, it was a known fact that this country’s cultural heritage is not only in good hands, but is also backed by bright minds.

“For our part, Republic Bank has strived for many years to empower young achievers through different cultural avenues. We have our Baal Vikaas Vihaar Festival and the Republic Bank Junior Parade of the Bands, both of which have helped preserve and strengthen diverse cultural expressions of art, dance, and creativity for several years, she said.

She added that for close to three decades Republic Bank has been working with the University of the West Indies, to help cultivate and empower the current and future generation of pan lovers, players and aficionados in T&T, through the Republic Bank Pan Minors Literacy Pogramme.

Team members representing the West-based school were Rashaun Williams, Kareem Bruce, Nkosi Clarance, Talen Charles and Zariel Roberts (sub). The boys took home the trophy and a cash prize of $50,000 in Republic Bank vouchers to assist in the purchase of musical equipment for their school. Second place went to Blanchisseuse Secondary School, which earned them $35,000 also in Republic Bank vouchers for equipment for their school. Third and fourth place winners went to Bishops High School, Tobago and Presentation College, San Fernando, respectfully. They also received cash prizes courtesy Republic Bank Limited.

The judges for the competition were; Patricia Adams, former Principal of Aranguez North Secondary School and Music Teacher, Ann Marie Harry, Executive Member of the Pan in Schools Coordinating Council, Khion de Las, pan arranger of the Sangre Grande Cordettes and Dave Williams, Creative Director at F.V Holdings Limited.

Republic Bank is pleased to have partnered with the International Conference and Panorama (ICP) and Pan Trinbago for the staging of this competition, and wish all the participants all the best in their musical pursuits.