Lindeners turned out in their numbers to celebrate with hometown girl Malika Boyd as she received her Toyota VIOS car on Friday afternoon for winning the GT&T jingle and song competition.
Hundreds of Lindeners lined Republic Avenue and the Mackenzie Market Square Bus Park to cheer the local butcher.
Groups of supporters converged along the route from Millie’s Hideout, Mackenzie, Linden from where a motorcade featuring Boyd and her runners-up Carlvin Burnett and Michael Thompson started. It ended at the Mackenzie Market Square where a grand presentation ceremony was held.
Speaking at the presentation ceremony, Interim Management Committee Chairman Orin Gordon referred to Boyd as the “home town girl who has done Linden and Region Ten proud”. He said Linden is home to a wealth of talent which was displayed for the second time in the GT&T competition.
Timeka Marshall, the first winner of the competition, now seeking international fame, also hails from Linden.
Last year’s first runner-up René Winter is also a Lindener and several young Linden talents have made it to the top ten of the competition over the years.
Regional Chairman Mortimer Mingo who also spoke at the presentation ceremony said that Boyd’s victory in the competition showed that talent has to be accompanied by determination.
Among prizes of laptop computers, digital amenities and trophies for the winners, Boyd is now the owner of a brand new Toyota VIOS car and complimentary video recording of a single.
Carlvin Burnette who came in second, won himself $500,000 plus a one year endorsement contract with GT&T. Michael Thompson who placed third was awarded $250,000.