Eleven-year-old Janaya Clark is Trinidad and Tobago’s 2026 National Junior Calypso Monarch after delivering a commanding performance at the Queen’s Park Savannah in Port of Spain on Monday.
The home-schooled student secured the title and the $25,000 first prize with her song Role Models, a socially conscious calypso urging leaders to set stronger examples for young people.
“So where are our leaders today, when the young ones looking for a role model, who could tell meh how to walk, when I see you walking crooked and looking shady, you want to tell me how to talk when I say in parliament you go cuss somebody,” she sang to loud applause from the audience.
Performing in position 13, Clark’s spirited delivery impressed judges and crowd alike. She is no stranger to the stage, having also captured the San Fernando Junior Calypso Monarch title just a week earlier.
Despite her experience, the young singer admitted she was unsure of victory. “Before performing, I was nervous but on stage everything was good,” she said after the results were announced. Asked if she expected to win, Clark responded, “No, because anything could happen.”
When questioned about her own role model, the new monarch simply replied: “God.”
Clark was not the only competitor using the platform to send a message to adults. Second place and $20,000 went to Caylan Allen of Holy Name Convent (Port of Spain) with Man-Men Are Needed, a call for stronger male presence and leadership within families and communities.
“Some family bonds are severed by a man who has disappear… our fathers are not at home… but with no father to keep them warm they can burn the whole village down,” Allen sang, highlighting the social impact of absent fathers.
Khalea Ramsey of Bishop’s High School, Tobago, placed third with Who Am I, earning $15,000, while Queen’s Royal College student Kacique Wilson secured fourth place and $10,000 with Identity. Contestants placing fifth through 16th each received $5,000.
Among the other standout performances was Cael Pyke of Athenian Presecondary School, whose song Bad Example had the audience singing along to his cautionary message.
Last year’s monarch, Xhaiden Darius of Savonetta Primary School, placed ninth with Instrument of Change, while 2025 second-place finisher Koquice Davidson finished 14th with Put Your Self Back in Place. Zacary Ransome placed 10th with Listening.
Four-time National Junior Calypso Monarch Aaron Duncan also performed his 2026 soca release Nah Leaving for the young audience. He joined former monarchs Kizzie Ruiz and Karene Asche as emcees for the competition.
