Junior Soca Monarch to tackle big boys in senior semis

Sixteen-year-old Hance John can be considered a person who has his eyes on the prize.

The St. Joseph’s Convent Marriaqua student is the defending champion in the junior Soca Monarch competition which he intends to retain. He has also made it to the semi finals of the national Soca Monarch competition, in which he expects to place in the top three.{{more}}

John has been in winner’s row every time he has entered the junior competition.

In 2003, he was crowned monarch for the first time, in 2004 he placed third, and after a two-year break, he reclaimed the top position.

This year he intends to do well in his efforts, and although he is among the 35 battling in the semis, he has great expectations.

“I am very confident that I will make it. I am happy to be among the big players and I think I will excel.”

The fourth-former, who has just completed his internal school examinations, is using the time between the soca semis (June 29th) and the junior competition (July 1st) to fine tune his skills for the competitions.

John, who plans to have a career in marketing, would also like to have music as a part of his resume.

“Music and education fused together are a force to be reckoned with, and I plan to continue singing even while continuing my studies.”

The confident young man has music in his blood – literally. He is the cousin of calypsonian Icon, uncle of Skarpyon and 2006 junior Soca Monarch Chaz, and brother of gospel singer Fenton Harry-John.

The youngster has a word of advice for other youth hoping to do well in life: “Stay in school, study hard, play it safe and keep away from drugs and violence.”