Nicole Thomas-Clarke has emerged victorious at the Tobago October Carnival Calypso Monarch finals, held on October 23 in Scarborough. Her win has fueled her determination to secure a spot in the National Calypso Monarch finals next year. Thomas-Clarke, who scored 460 points and won the $100,000 first prize, performed her song ‘Sacrifice,’ which critiques society’s reluctance to work hard for their desires. ‘It is no longer by the sweat of thy brow, they want it now for now,’ she sang, emphasizing the theme of her performance. Dressed in a striking silver and white ensemble, she highlighted the need for genuine effort and sacrifice in achieving success. Thomas-Clarke, a loans officer at Republic Bank Ltd, attributed her victory to a collaborative team effort, ensuring that the presentation, music, and lyrics harmonized perfectly. She expressed optimism about the future of calypso, noting the strong interest shown by the 50 participants in the auditions. The event also saw notable performances from her siblings, Wendy Garrick and Dillon ‘Dilly Suede’ Thomas, who placed second and fourth, respectively. Garrick’s song ‘Family’ addressed the destructive forces of selfishness and greed within families, while Dilly Suede’s ‘One Man’s Trash Is Another Man’s Treasure’ resonated well with the audience. Other standout performers included Giselle ‘GG’ Fraser, who took third place with her social commentary ‘No Village Can’t,’ and Delanie Baynes, who placed fifth with ‘I Dare You,’ addressing recent socio-political issues. The competition, which featured a mix of seasoned and emerging calypsonians, tackled a variety of themes, from Tobago’s quest for autonomy to the importance of respecting the steelpan. The event concluded with performances by veteran calypsonians Lord Nelson, Benjai, Johnny King, Myron B, and King Unique, leaving the audience thoroughly entertained.