Last Updated on November 20, 2024, 5:48 AM AST by Anthony Morris
St Kitts and Nevis: The St Kitts and Nevis National Carnival Committee hosted the 3rd Annual Sugar Mas Awards and honoured over 40 individuals and organisations who have made significant contributions in sustaining the vibrant legacy of the National Carnival.
Known as the integral part of the Sugar Mas celebrations, this event, was held on Sunday, November 17, 2024 at the esteemed Royal St Kitts Ballroom.
The Carnival Committee awarded several individuals and organisations whose benefactions and contributions have been instrumental in the betterment and shaping the carnival. Significantly, different awards were given in recognition for different contributions made.
The list of Sugar Mas 2024 awardees is as follows:
GOLD STANDARD AWARD
The ‘Gold Standard Award’ is given in the honour of those individuals who have provided meritorious service to National Carnival continuously throughout their life.
- Louvina Maynard: Meritorious service as Chaperone, Committee Member, and Commentator.
- Orville Maynard: Contributions to Venue and Infrastructure, Street Activities, Costume Production, and General Assistance to the Secretariat.
- Lauretta Evelyn: Extensive service on the SKNNCC as Chaperone, Junior Carnival Organiser, and Mr & Miss Talented Teen Committee member.
SPIRIT OF CARNIVAL AWARD
The ‘Spirit of Carnival Award’ is provided to those individuals who have showcased excellence, consistency, and longevity in the development of the Carnival.
- Raimon ‘Smiley’ Browne: Flawless contribution to Soca and Calypso; Junior Calypso Monarch 1989; Party Monarch 2004.
- Cliffette Isaac: 40 years and more of writing, scoring, and arranging Calypso and Soca.
- Kervin ‘Milo Box’ Freeman: Over 30 years as a songwriter for Calypsonians, Soca artistes, bands, and contestants; scriptwriter for talent presentations in several pageants.
- Pedro Douglas: Truck driver with 30 years of service in Carnival logistics.
- Jenny Belle: Seamstress for over 10 years, supporting Pageants, Folklore, and Junior Carnival.
- Calvin Joseph: 15 years as Mas Band Leader in Street Activities.
- Christine Walwyn: Co-founder of Phunnmakers Mas Camp; 14 years of active participation in National Carnival.
- Hugh Thomas: Former SKNNCC member, steelpan pioneer, and veteran costume designer and producer.
- Anthony Abourizk: Trailblazer in J’ouvert Morning.
- Richard Belle, Elvis Forbes & Deuel Huggins (Trio): More than 10 years of dedication to J’ouvert Morning Ole Mas tradition.
- Ricky Bassue: Multiple contributions as Chair of Junior Calypso, MC, Calypsonian, and J’ouvert Morning Ole Mas leader.
- Althea Warner: Trailblazer for women in Masquerades.
- Cane Juice: Contributions as a key event promoter during Carnival.
- Clement Williams (Lala): 45 years of dedication to Calypso.
- Mighty Pat: Senior Calypso Monarch 1997/98 & 1998/99.
- Erstein Mallet Edwards: Senior Calypso Monarch 1976 & 1979; Veteran J’ouvert Morning Ole Mas player.
- Chesil ‘Mark I’ Hamilton: National Carnival Senior Calypso Monarch 1973; Road March Winner 1974–1975.
STEWARD OF CARNIVAL AWARD
The ‘Steward of Carnival Award’ is rewarded to people for their perfect assistance in the production, administration, or promotion of the National Carnival.
- Amoy Baird-Arache: 26 years of service as a chaperone and beautician.
- Ashton Leader: Visionary leader in the administration of Calypso.
- Percy Randolph Taylor: 45 years of service to National Carnival; Talented Teen Committee (1970s); Head of Production (1980s–1990s).
- Ludis Francis: 20 years of assistance to Junior Carnival, Grand Parade management, and costume making.
- L. Horsford & Co. Ltd: Esteemed corporate partner since 1957; valued sponsor and generous contributor of gifts.
- SKN Vibes: Unmatched coverage of National Carnival since 2002; extensive archive of photos, results, and historical data; pioneers of live streaming for Carnival events.
- Minerva Dublin-Richards: Dedicated in the administration of National Carnival.
POINCIANA AWARD
The ‘Poinciana Award’ is honoured to those entities and individuals who are first winners and chairs of organising committees of the first National Carnival events of their type.
- Erasmus Williams: Winner of the first National Carnival King of the Bands.
- Maxwell Darway (Mighty Blackbeard): Winner of the first National Carnival Best of the Rest Competition (1999).
ROYAL SCEPTRE AWARD
The ‘Royal Sceptre Award’ is to pay tribute to National Carnival Queens and Talented Teen Queens who won in regional pageants.
- Siobhan Phipps: National Carnival Talented Teen Queen 2010/11; Haynes Smith Caribbean Talented Teen Queen 2011/2012.
- Shakira Pitt: National Carnival Swimwear Queen 2016/17; Miss Venus 2017.
- Genieve Hanley: National Carnival Queen 2002/03; Miss Caribbean Tourism 2003.
- Sudeakka Francis: National Carnival Queen 2009/10; Miss Caribbean World 2011.
- Junika Berry: National Carnival Talented Teen Queen 2011/12; Miss Haynes Smith Caribbean Talented Teen 2012.
- Giselle Lewis-Archibald: National Carnival Queen 1999; Miss Caribbean Tourism 2000.
SWEET STRINGS AWARD
The ‘Sweet Strings Award’ is given in recognition of the longstanding bands and individuals for their excellence in music and promotion of Sugar Mas.
- Judith Gumbs: Veteran pan virtuoso.
- Victor ‘Joffe’ Payne: Renowned musician and key contributor to music during National Carnival.
- Bing Charles: Renowned musician and key contributor to music during National Carnival.
As the celebrations of the Sugar Mas 53 continues, the St Kitts and Nevis National Carnival Committee remains committed to honour the worthy individuals of the past while making the way for future generations to contribute to the magnificence of the St Kitts and Nevis Carnival.
Anthony Morris covers stories related to politics and regional developments. His in-depth reporting about governance and reforms makes him stand out in regional journalism, with a deep analysis of political trends and their impact on Caribbean communities.
