Local Dietitian Wins Emancipation Day Poetry Contest

Laverne Ryner has emerged the winner of the adult category of the Montserrat Arts Council Emancipation Day Poetry competition.

Ms. Ryner, a dietitian by profession, penned the winning piece Crack the Whip.

Crack the Whip was written by Lavern Ryner and narrated by Stephanel Francois.

Laurian Brand received second and third prizes for her two poems “Are We Enslaved” and “Ensalved”

Abdir Raheem won the 13-16 years category.

Second and third place went to Shania Weekes and Asma Muhammad respectively.

Meanwhile, first prize for the 7-12 years category went to Liana Green.

Kiyana Allen was second and Abigail Hillocks third.

The poetry Competition, entitled Freedom to Write was organized in collaboration with the Montserrat Public Library, and was designed to raise awareness about Emancipation Day and why it is celebrated annually.