JAMAICANS TOP PERFORMING ARTS OLYMPICS

Team Jamaica has done it again after the last win in 2004 with the Strachan sisters winning the overall championship. This at the World Championships of the Performing Arts (WCOPA) finals night held at the Westin Bonaventure California Ballroom in downtown, Los Angeles Friday night (July 25). Andrew Clarke from Jamaica is the Grand Champion Performer of the World with his world class vocal piece, I walk with God.
In addition to the win, Andrew received 6 gold medals, a US$10,000 2 year scholarship to attend the New York Conservatory for Film and Television acting and a number of other coaching scholarships.
The entire team did extremely well with a medal haul totaling over 60 medals inclusive of gold, silver and bronze, 70% of which are gold.
Also of mention, is the Meadowbrook United Church Junior dancers, who were the Junior Grand Champions in the Dance category with their soca/calypso hit, which was a crowd favourite, Milton Walker of Mona Prep School who was casted in an upcoming movie, Tori Haber of St. Andrew Prep and Yonique Myrie.
The Emmanuel Speech Choir also were outstanding receiving 2 gold medals and Kerrian Lewis a second timer receiving 3 silver and 1 gold medal.
The relatively small team this year of only 14 entries and 43 persons collectiviely, supporters and contestants alike, were a huge success copping the over winnings of the contest.

43 Jamaicans left the island on Friday to participate in the 12th staging of the Performing Arts Olympics
The competition IS held over a 10 day period where aspiring performers in the categories of Acting, Dance, modeling, vocals and instrumentals will compete for gold, silver and bronze medals as well as contracts and scholarships from the acclaimed New York School of Film and Television.
The Jamaican team participated in the categories of, dance, acting, modeling, and vocals……some members of the team are the Emmanuel Speech Choir, Simonne McFarlane, the MUC dancers, who performed in the Opening Ceremony, Monique Prescott, a former Miss Festival Queen, and a number of students from the Mona Prep School and Jamaicans who currently reside overseas.
The World Championship of Performing Arts is an international event which highlights the talents of people around the world ages 5-15 in the Junior category and 16 up for the seniors. The event welcomes over 50 countries each year.