SKI Academy’s Alyella Maynard Wins Independence Elocution Contest
BASSETERRE — Grade 5 pupil Alyella Maynard of SKI Academy won the 2026 Independence Primary Schools’ Elocution Competition on Thursday, narrowly beating seven other finalists at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church Auditorium and giving her school back-to-back titles.
SKI Academy finished with 45.67 points, just ahead of Seventh-Day Adventist Primary School, which placed second with 45.41 points. Halliday-Smith Primary School took third place with 41.75 points. The top three schools received trophies.
Alyella is the daughter of Hon. Konris Maynard, Minister of Public Infrastructure, Energy and Utilities, Domestic Transport, ICT and Posts. Her older sister, Chezelle, won the competition in 2025.
In a social media post, Maynard congratulated his daughter and said she had been determined to follow in her sister’s footsteps.
“Alyella was determined that she would not be out done by her older sister,” he wrote.
The finalists had topped their respective zones in the preliminary rounds, and Maynard extended congratulations to all participants, particularly the second- and third-place schools.
In its own statement, SKI Academy praised Alyella’s delivery.
“Her tone, gestures, and pronunciation were top tier,” the school said, adding that the competition was stiff and the other contestants “did a great job.” The school also credited the work of “Team Alyella” in preparing her for both the zonal rounds and the finals.
Young speakers from eight primary schools across St. Kitts took part. The other participating schools were Dr. William Connor Primary, Connor-Gumbs Primary, Violet Petty Primary, Saddlers Primary and Tyrrel Williams Primary.
This year’s competition was held under the national theme for the Federation’s 43rd Independence anniversary: “One People, One Vision, Endless Possibility: Independence 43.” Each student delivered an excerpt from “The Same,” a musical selection by the late calypsonian Elston “King Ellie Matt” Nero.
Organizers say the annual competition gives young students an important platform to develop their public-speaking skills, build confidence and learn to express themselves clearly before an audience.
The event formed part of activities commemorating the 43rd anniversary of St. Kitts and Nevis’ independence.
