Caribbean Heritage Athlete For 48th Annual Colgate Women’s Games Finals

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Latest Caribbean And Latin America News from News America – The Black Immigrant Daily

By Eva Dilmanian and Jared McCallister

CARIBPR WIRE, NEW YORK, NY, Tues. May 2, 2023: A Caribbean heritage athlete has solidified her place for the finals of the 48th Annual Colgate Women’s Games, set for Sunday, May 7th at Icahn Stadium on Randall’s Island in New York.

Colgate Women’s Games runner, Caribbean roots Kushanna Medas-King, completing her race at Queens College. (Photo by Elliot Mangual/Colgate-Palmolive)

Guyana-rooted Kushanna Medas-King is leading CWG’s Elementary B 800-meter run. Already an accomplished distance runner at her young age, Kushanna is a Colgate Games veteran, who also competes in events across the U.S, and has been nationally ranked for her best performances, thanks to the coaching of her father, Guyana- born Andy Medas-King.

Prizila Negrete, whose roots extend to Honduras, throws in the Colgate Women’s Games HS Shot Put event at the Semi-Finals at Queens College, NYC. (Photo by Elliot Mangual/Colgate-Palmolive)

The finals will be a melting pot of competitors. Nearly 300 of the nation’s top young female track and field athletes, and future stars, from the U.S. East Coast will compete. Among them is also Central American heritage high school scholar and athlete Prizila Negrete of The Ursuline School in New Rochelle, N.Y. She was a top point scorer in the CWG’s HS Shot Put after the Semi-Finals.  Her parents were born in Honduras and because she holds dual citizenship in both the U.S. and Honduras, Prizila will be competing with the Honduran National team this year.

Westchester Track Officials chose the Colgate Semi-Finals to present Honduras roots Prizila Negrete — flanked by her parents (l.to r.) Wendy Suazo and Miguel Negrete of Honduras — with an award for her high school performance during the indoor season. (Photo by Elliot Mangual/Colgate-Palmolive)

“I trained with them last summer when I went to Honduras. And the first meet that I’m scheduled to compete for Honduras is the Central American Games in Guatemala, Under 18 age group, in June,” she said. Upon graduation from high school, she will be attending Bucknell University in Pennsylvania, with help from an athletic scholarship.

Following three weeks of exciting preliminary and semi-finals competition at Queens College, the top eight runners, high jumpers and shot putters in each category will compete for trophies and more than 100 educational scholarships from the sponsoring Colgate-Palmolive Company.  Scholarship values have doubled this year to $2,000, $1,000, and $500, respectively.

In addition to thrilling competition, this year’s Colgate Women’s Games finals will feature a marching band, special award presentations, and complimentary Colgate-Palmolive health and hygiene products for guests, while quantities last.  Finalists will also receive complimentary refreshments from event supporter, ShopRite.

Attendance is free but tickets are required to attend the finals.  Get free tickets HERE

Doors open at 8:30 a.m. for finalists and 9 a.m. for guests.  Events will begin at 10 a.m. and conclude at 3 p.m.

Colgate-Palmolive has been the title sponsor of Colgate Women’s Games for nearly 50 years, supporting the program since its founding in 1974 by legendary Brooklyn track coach, the late Fred Thompson. Learn more at ColgateWomensGames.com.

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4 Show Genres You Must See While In The Caribbean

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Latest Caribbean And Latin America News from News America – The Black Immigrant Daily

News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Tues. May 2, 2023: If you’re looking to venture out to the Caribbean, either island hopping on a cruise or sticking to one location, you’re likely to want some entertainment throughout your journey. Well, there are a lot of options to choose from, and they vary depending on where you’re going. But some things are universal and universally loved, and you can find them amongst the greatest bars and restaurants in the Caribbean.

So, what can you find to entertain you beyond the sun and the cocktails? Take a look at our list to find out.

Music

The Caribbeans are famous for knowing how to get a party started. With the best tunes on offer, it really doesn’t matter if you know the genre, you know the big names, etc. You can simply show up to a venue and enjoy the locals playing with whatever they have handy.

Wander down your nearest strip, and you’re bound to find a pub with a live band and enjoy a night of dancing and singing.

Of course, the Caribbean is made up of a lot of different cultures from different islands, but the best part about that is that you’re going to get something different wherever you go. But the thing they all have in common is the ability to make the listener feel alive.

Mentalist

This is a show where you get to ask the age-old question: is telepathy real ? Modern mentalism is all about reading energy and minds to pull off mind-bending tricks. Less juvenile than the idea of a magician, mentalism involves reaching deep into a person’s mind and extracting the truth. They have abilities like precognition, clairvoyance and telepathy and can demonstrate them to members of the audience. It makes for a shocking and bizarre night out.

They aren’t as common as other acts on a typical holiday strip, like music acts and comedians, but you can ask around to find interesting acts in the area.

Drag

Depending on where you go around the Caribbean, you might find yourself enjoying a bottomless brunch with a drag act. Drag artists are essentially modern (better) clowns with better material. It’s not just the outfit that will make you sick with jealousy that they offer, but great stand-up and crowd work, usually with a lip sync performance or maybe even some original music to add to the act.

Get the girls (and guys) together and enjoy an excuse for a cocktail in the morning, as if the sun wasn’t enough of an excuse.

Magician

Along the same lines as a mentalist, magicians are much beloved in the Caribbean. They make for a great family-friendly choice on the islands or on your cruise. Pulling off a mix of crazy tricks that a daredevil might only attempt for real and card tricks to entertain. There is a lot of pageantry to it that makes for an entertaining show. It’s a great option to give your kids a bit of entertainment and let them know that magic is still alive.

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Royal Caribbean Faces Backlash for Mysterious Rewards System

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Latest Caribbean And Latin America News from News America – The Black Immigrant Daily

News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Tues. May 2, 2023: Royal Caribbean, one of the largest cruise lines in the world, has stirred up controversy among its Casino Royale program participants by making a controversial move.

The said change may cause concern among gamblers and benefit competitors such as Carnival and MSC, as it affects the reward system for players on Royal Caribbean’s ships.

The Importance of Rewards in the Casino Gambling Program

Many gamblers obsess over casino gambling rewards programs, which are offered by every cruise line. These rewards have high stakes, ranging from free drinks in the casino to actual free cruises.

Royal Caribbean’s Casino Royale program provides different types of rewards for players who gamble on its ships. The program has tier status, and if a player hits “Prime” status, they receive free drinks in the casino and an annual free cruise in an interior cabin.

However, the second type of perk, the “offers,” is much more mysterious. These are emailed to customers, and  Royal Caribbean does not share how it determines who receives offers. They have nothing to say about their exact formula for evaluating a player’s value.

Offers are most likely based on the amount a player spends on a trip, but the cruise line does not disclose the specifics. These offers also tend to vary greatly, with some people receiving discounts, and others getting free suites.

Additionally, there may be a limit on the number of free cruises a player can book while still receiving offers.

Confusion Among Royal Caribbean Customers

When a player receives a free offer, it covers whatever class of room they are offered for two people.

However, some members of the Royal Caribbean Club Royale Facebook group have reported that they have received offers where only the first person is free, and the other must pay the full casino fare.

Solo travelers will also pay a “solo supplement.” This means that a “free” cruise is not entirely free under this new system. In the traditional system, a “free” offer requires that a player only pays taxes and port fees for each person.

The issue with having a somewhat mysterious rewards system is that players just don’t know if they’re receiving a good deal.

Now, these new “solo” offers are not replacing the traditional dual occupancy offers, but they seem to be a specific promotion sent only to some Casino Royale members.

This promotion may be seen as a discount offer not all that different from the “dollars off” offers that some people receive. However, Royal Caribbean continues to send some onboard casino gamblers the traditional offers that offer a truly free (aside from taxes and fees) cabin.

The move by Royal Caribbean has caused confusion and outrage among gamblers who are part of the Casino Royale program. Multiple Facebook groups on cruises discuss every quirk of the program. Many people are endlessly debating how offers are sent, and some are simply sharing the offers they’re getting.

Ultimately, this move has caused some gamblers to consider switching to competitors such as Carnival and MSC, which have more generous free cruise programs and more transparent rewards systems.

Royal Caribbean Controversies

It’s worth noting that Carnival Cruise Line has a system where comped Royal Caribbean customers can sail free on one of their sailings, and MSC also has a similar program. While the eligibility standards for a free cruise are not fully clear, it is evident that these competitors offer more transparent rewards systems.

Royal Caribbean’s Casino Royale program is not the only area of controversy for the cruise line. The company has faced criticism for its environmental impact, labor practices, and its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In April 2021, Royal Caribbean announced that it would require all crew members to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

The company has also been sued over its handling of a 2019 incident where one of its ships sailed into a storm and had to be evacuated, resulting in the death of one passenger.

Conclusion

The Royal Caribbean Casino Royale program’s recent change in the rewards system has caused outrage among gamblers who are part of the program.

The new system for rewards is more mysterious, and players just don’t feel the excitement. Instead, they’re now unsure of how fair the cruise ship is in terms of its promotions.

With this, some of their customers are now considering switching to competitors such as Carnival and MSC, which have more transparent rewards systems.

It remains to be seen if the company will change its Casino Royale program to be more transparent and regain the trust of its gamblers.

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Jamaicans Shine On And Off The Field At 2023 Penn Relays

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Latest Caribbean And Latin America News from News America – The Black Immigrant Daily

News Americas, PHILADELPHIA, PA, Mon. May 1, 2023: As has become a norm, Jamaican athletes again shone brightly at the 2023 Penn Relays even as Jamaican group, Team Jamaica Bickle, was itself shining off field.

The stunner on the field this year was Hydel High School of Jamaica, which won its first-ever Penn Relays double. The Corey Bennet-coached team claimed victory in the High School Girls’ 4×100-m and 4×400-m Championship of America races. Hydel won the 4×100-m for the first time and retained the 4×400-m crown.

Holmwood Technical won the High School Girls’ 4x100m International final in 46.81 seconds.

Jamaica College and KC claimed the High School Boys’ 4×100 and 4×400 Championship of America titles.

TEAM JAMAICA BICKLE

For the first time, Team Jamaica Bickle, which was founded 29 years ago by Jamaican immigrant, Irwine Clare, Sr. OD, to provide support services for Caribbean athletes, particularly Jamaicans, who compete at the annual Penn Relays, was housed in the Palestra at the University of the Pennsylvania, nicknamed the “Cathedral of College Basketball.”

The Palestra was built in 1927, acquiring its name from the Greek term “palæstra.”

Team Jamaica Bickle’s founder, Irwine Clare, Sr., OD and athletes and volunteers in the Palestra at the University of the Pennsylvania for Penn Relays 2023 and the Labor of Love TJB 2023 presentation. (TJB image)

“It’s a significant step for Team Jamaica Bickle and as we continue to support our athletes and our ambassadors,” Clare told News Americas Monday. “It’s courtesy of over two decades of relationships and the officials at Penn understand our presence and our importance and have said they look forward to hosting us again next year.”

This year Clare said they hosted over 550 athletes and officials, providing support with accommodation, transportation and ‘bickle’ or meals daily from April 28 to April 30th.

While the majority of athletes served continue to be Jamaicans, Clare said athletes from St. Vincent and Belize athletes were also supported this year.

“This has been one of our most successful year, from volunteers to financial donations and deliverables,” Clare added. “From the University of Pennsylvania stepping up to support us, to the Consulate General of Jamaica in New York, and over 150 professional volunteers in New York’s tri-state and Pennsylvania giving of their time to Jamaican, Caribbean and even an Italian restaurant, that provided breakfast lunch and dinner for all athletes over the three days, it has been remarkable.”

“It was a great look and presentation and a lot to build on as we march into TBJ 30,” added the group’s founder.

Top high school and college athletes from across the US and the Caribbean once again converge on Philadelphia, Pennsylvania at the University of Pennsylvania for the oldest and largest track and field competition in America from April 27th-29th.

This year’s class of inductees to the Penn Relays Wall of Fame included former St Jago High sprinter, Yohan Blake.

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