The final lineup for Saint Lucia’s highly anticipated National Schools Soca and Calypso Competition has officially been unveiled, bringing young musical talent from across the island into the national spotlight. After a series of closed, rigorous auditions where participating schools were evaluated across four key judging criteria—lyrical creativity and messaging, on-stage charisma, vocal technique, and overall artistic resonance—59 educational institutions earned their spots in the final round of competition.
The contest is structured into two core divisions, catering to early and secondary-level learners: the infant/primary school division and the secondary school division, a framework designed to showcase the full breadth of emerging Caribbean musical talent across all age groups in the country.
In the primary school calypso category, 10 schools progressed to the final stage. Leading the group of finalists are Anglian Infant with their entry *What Should I Do*, Ave Maria Girls Primary with *Standing Strong*, and Ciceron R.C. Combined with the thought-provoking piece *Change that Mentality*. They will be joined by competitors from Delcer R.C. Combined, Dugard Combined, Gordon Walcott Memorial, Les Etangs Combined, Morne Du Don Primary, Odsan Combined and Saltibus Combined.
For the secondary school calypso division, another 10 schools secured their places in the finals. Standout entries include Babonneau Secondary’s *Time Wrap*, Castries Comprehensive’s socially conscious *S.O.S – Save Our Society*, and Ciceron Secondary’s *I Working for My Key*. Rounding out the secondary calypso final lineup are Micoud Secondary, Patricia D. James Secondary, Saint Lucia Sports Academy, Sir Ira Simmons Secondary, St Joseph’s Convent, Stanley Jon Odlum Secondary and Vieux Fort Comprehensive.
The competition’s soca segment also saw a high level of participation and skill from young performers, with 10 finalists advancing in the primary school soca category. Top entries from Ave Maria Girls Primary (*Lash Up*) and Babonneau Primary (*St Lucia Pay The Teacher*) will compete alongside representatives from Camille Henry Memorial, Carmen René Memorial, Ciceron R.C. Combined, Delcer R.C. Combined, Les Etangs Combined, Morne Du Don Primary, St. Aloysius R.C. Boys Infant, and St Aloysius R.C. Boys Primary.
In the secondary school soca division, nine finalists have been confirmed, including Babonneau Secondary’s *Young Energy*, Castries Comprehensive’s *Pressure*, Choiseul Secondary’s *Run Up*, and Ciceron Secondary’s dynamic entry *A Tsunami*. The remaining finalists are Corinth Secondary, Entrepot Secondary, Patricia D. James Secondary, Sir Ira Simmons Secondary and St Joseph’s Convent.
Now in its second year of operation, the national soca competition for primary and secondary students has quickly grown to become one of the most anticipated events on the Junior Carnival calendar, adding a new, energetic layer to the long-running traditional calypso competition. According to event organizers, the core mission of the initiative is twofold: to support and uplift emerging young musical artists across the island, and to safeguard and pass down Saint Lucia’s rich Caribbean cultural traditions to future generations.
The final rounds of the competition will be staggered across the early summer, with secondary school finals scheduled to take place in early June, and primary school finals set to follow in early July. These contests are just one part of the broader Junior Carnival schedule, which also includes the popular National Schools Tour, the Junior Parade of the Bands, and the National Schools Panorama Competition.