The Wildey Gymnasium was filled with unbridled joy on Saturday night as St Lucy’s Kimani Greaves and Shalia Morris were crowned the Most Outstanding Parish Ambassadors at this year’s Spirit of the Nation show. This marked the parish’s fifth consecutive victory, a feat that came with its own set of trials. Shemila Scantlebury, Chairperson of the St Lucy Parish Independence Committee, reflected on the journey, describing it as both demanding and rewarding. ‘This year was far from easy, especially after four straight wins. The pressure was immense, but the support and mentorship we received kept us grounded,’ she shared. Scantlebury credited her mentor, Ms. Janice Springer, for providing the encouragement needed to persevere. ‘Her words reminded me of our purpose and the importance of staying true to our mission,’ she added. Shalia Morris, one half of the winning duo, echoed these sentiments, highlighting the personal and professional growth she and her partner experienced. ‘The challenges were real, but we stayed focused, knowing that hard work would eventually pay off,’ Morris said. The competition also saw strong performances from other parishes, with St Peter’s Nakim Wahid and Deandra Gibson securing fourth place, St Thomas’ Christian Atherly and Amyah Cox taking third, and St George’s Shaquan Marshall and Nicole Sealy finishing second. Additionally, St George’s duo won the inaugural Jacqueline Marshall-Clarke Award for Best Public Speaking. Other notable achievements included Weslon Samuels winning the Minister’s Award in the Parish Talent segment, and St Michael and St Peter taking home the Designer Award for Best Formal Wear and the Best Costume Award, respectively. The event was a celebration of talent, resilience, and community spirit, showcasing the best of Barbados’ cultural heritage.