Ex-Officio Mas Judge Honoured during NCC Adjudication Seminar

Port of Spain, Trinidad: January 11, 2016: Long time ex-officio Mas judge, Myrtle Bernard, was recently honoured at the National Carnival Commission’s Mas Adjudication Workshop, held at the NCC’s VIP Lounge at the Queen’s Park Savannah on Saturday, January 9.

Minister of Community Development, Culture and the Arts, Dr. The Honourable Nyan Gadsby-Dolly, and NCC Chairman, Kenneth De Silva were on hand during the workshop to present Bernard with her tokens of appreciation.

One of the main architects of the adjudication process, Bernard has been an influential figure, having adjudicated for Carnival for more than 30 years, and serving as Chief Judge for more than 10 years. Described as hardworking and focussed, she spent several decades mentoring other judges, and providing critical advice to Carnival stakeholders across the country.

Saturday’s adjudication workshop was specially designed to improve judging competencies, and in so doing, promote an even higher quality of Mas presentations for Carnival 2016.

Chairman De Silva said, “We are very pleased to have brought this programme to life once again. It has a special place in our hearts, and, I can well imagine, a special place in the hearts of the Carnival community.”

“It is crucial that we keep getting the good things right, and judging mas, fairly and unbiased is a major part of that. Your responsibility is very important as well as your character, integrity and skills are critical to the process of adjudication,” he added.

“And it is always good when we can look back, and remember the work and energy of those who have been integral in us moving forward, people like Myrtle Bernard,” De Silva said.

This year, the NCC warmly welcomed over 100 participants, of which several were first-time judges. All were coached by instructors Octavia Noel, Dominic Romain, Claudette Sinnette, Dr. Lester Efebo Wilkinson, among others, on a variety of relevant topics, including "Review of the Judging Processes, Rules and Procedures”, and “Interpretation of Criteria and Carnival Arts as it pertains to Culture.”

Minister and M. Bernard - “Minister of Community Development, Culture and the Arts Dr. the Honorable Nyan Gadsby-Dolly (right) presents ex-officio Mas judge Myrtle Bernard with a token of appreciation for outstanding contribution to the Carnival Arts Industry, during the Adjudication workshop at the VIP Lounge, QPS on Saturday January 9, 2016.

Presenter Claudette Sinnette leads off her presentation at the adjudication workshop.

A cross section of the audience.