Queen’s Royal College student Jedaiah Joseph is the winner of the Ministry of the People, Social Development and Family Services 2025 Spoken Word Competition, beating 27 other youths for the top spot.

In second place was Zayne Bissoon of Presentation College San Fernando and tied for third place was Atish Maniram of Vishnu Boys’ Hindu College and Semira Bradshaw of Bishop Anstey High School.

Dr Seon Raymond, director of the Social Investigations Division of the ministry explained the competition was held annually in commemoration of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, as the ministry wanted to empower youth to express their realities, hopes and ideas for change while inspiring national awareness and action.