‘Paper Cutouts’ band win talent contest
Four Bermuda High School boys have won the Bermuda’s Youth Got Talent competition.Harely Sapsford, Nathaniel Sussman, Emerson Krebs and Andrew Sussman were all pleasantly surprised when the announcement was made at the Coalition for the Protection of Children headquarters yesterday.The talented musicians, known at the ‘Paper Cutouts’, performed an original song to win the competition that was televised on ZBM TV. They plan to split the $5,000 cash prize donated by Capital G and the iPad by iClick.According to Kelly Hunt, who produced the show, a number of sponsors donated cash to the coalition for prizes. Other winners included Tenae Hassell, who won the ‘People’s Choice’ award.She was presented with a $500 cheque. Kyle Wong and Ameina Lewis won $300 each for ‘Favourite Single Acts’. The group known as AMM, made up of Jahkeem Hunt, Jushun Minks and Destiny Smith also won $300 as the ‘Favourite Group’.Other cash prize winners included Micah Corea for ‘Favourite Dancer’ and Brittney Ferreira who won the prize for ‘Best Instrumental Performance’. The prize for ‘Exceptional Performer went to Kandell Trott.Calvino and Calrico Chricton who performed as ‘Star Boyz’ won the $300 prize for ‘Favourite Group’ under the age of 13. Marcus Smith, Alexis Smith and MeShalaé Hayward who performed as ‘Hay Smitty’ won the prize for ‘Favourite Dancers’ over the age of 13.More than 160 contestants signed up for the show, 35 acts were eventually narrowed down to the top 20 who were announced on May 21. A total 2,170 votes were cast by members of the public. The grand prize winners secured 11.5 percent of the popular vote.After the presentation the winning group ‘Paper Cutouts’, who have been together for four years, said they would probably use the money to buy new band equipment.When asked if they would compete again next year, all four band members replied: “Most definitely.”