BY STEPHEN FAROBO
SOLOMON Islands are naturally rich and blessed with a range of talented and gifted youths that are left isolated and inaccessible to discover their potential qualities.
And nobody even, the government itself recognizes the need to promote such individuals to expose their talents professionally to bring a positive impact to their own lives and the development of this nation as a whole.
But because of perseverance with self-discipline and the struggle of a few instrumental individuals amongst the thousand talented youths in the country. However, they help themselves to be able to be known with the talents they have.
Speaking to the Solomon Island Women’s Newspaper one of the inspirational and the sensational 2015 Solo Icon winners.
Ms. Amy Bauro, who is an 18-year-old from Malaita province and Kiribati said: “I never dreamt of achieving such tremendous achievement like this but I am grateful, proud, and thankful to covey to my intimidate family and friends for their support and encouragement.
“Without them I believe, I might not be able to withstand the intense pressure that accumulates and develop what’s inside of me during the height of the competition,” she said.
Ms. Bauro also said: ‘‘the most influential person that mentors and motives me during the preparation towards my success is my elder brother without his time and effort bestowed on me I might have been exhausted already,” she said.
Bauro said the motive that drives her to participate in the recent Solo Icons is her passion for singing and competing in such a competition.
‘‘It is what I desired most, especially to gain courage and confidence also to expose my talent to be known locally, regionally and even in internal stage,” she added.
The energetic young singer also mentioned that she developed her interest in singing whilst still being a kid and she is especially interested in various music genres such as R’n’B, Reggae, and Jazz music.
She also reveals that her favorite influential international artist is Beyoncé.
She stressed: “I never undergo any voice training or other mediums of exercises, but I sing naturally and it is my hobby which is singing is something I normally do during my free times whilst at home.”
The young talent recalled: “It is tough and challenging indeed, to participate in such major competitions such as Solo Icon because you are to compete with other best singers who are experienced and well-trained performers who are previously involved in such competition already.”
She said it persuades her to work extra hard by putting in more effort to meet the level of the competition, also to make herself more comfortable among other best contestants in the competition.
“I first entered the Solo Icon competition in 2011 and was selected in the junior category but because I was not ready for the mass competition. Somehow, I was unable to make it to the final and was later dropped out in the elimination stage.
The teenager said even though she dropped out of the elimination stage in the competition she still has confidence because she believed from her first experience gained in the previous competition made her realize her mistakes and weakness.
She says that through her dedication to singing and hard work, she would be more prepared to compete in the senior category next time.
“With more involvement in practice and preparation and more encouragement rendered to me from my family and other friends gradually it motivated and inspired me once again to enter the competition for the second time.
“I do not doubt myself because already, I have the confidence and experience and I believe my continual preparation perfectly qualifies me to do better in the next performance.
“But while I am filled with the desire to re-enter the competition in some way I encountered new challenges that overcame me with emotions giving rise to feelings of doubt which I must get rid off if I want to do better in the next appearance.
“I feel nervous and frustrated reasoning what will be the next turn out once I get in the competition again because I am unsure about song selections, which sort of songs will suit the appetite of the audience and impress the judges to vote in favor of me.
“But I have to take the courage and bear the challenges with the confidence and intellectual instinct l have within myself I proudly say, my performance stands out and lately the proclamation echoed I was the crown champion for Solo icon 2015.
“I was excited with tears of joy streaming down my cheek as I heard my name resound and echo amid the thousands that were waiting to hear the declaration of the Solo Icon 2015 crown winner. I couldn’t hold my joy as I join my family and friends who rendered me support to part take the celebration.”
“I felt a great relief that overcame my whole being and it’s like I am in the sky dancing among the stars with free soul heart and mind my bad feelings gone just like it was blown away by the wind,” she exclaimed.
Meanwhile, the young Solo icon winner encouraged the other talented youths in the country to freely come out and expose their talents because there is a lot of space out there where they can showcase and demonstrate their talents.
“Forget about fear, criticism, and barriers that might hinder you and just believe in yourselves that you are somebody you can make a difference and a change for yourselves your families even your communities as well as the entire nation as a whole,” she said.
“I used to be like that too, feeling shy and afraid to reveal myself and nervous to show out in the public but I learned that these habits won’t take me anywhere I must stand up, it’s time to reveal my true identity and exhibit the potential that manifests in me to glorify the maker the one who invests the richness of abundance blessing and talent to mankind.”
She also reassured the youths to come out of their comfort zones and face the challenges.
“The more you confront your challenges the further you get closer to success do not let fear and anxiety limit your destiny to discover your true potential.”
She also urged the government and the music federation and other existing federations bodies in the country to be more supportive and should establish an academy that is based on the talent and interest of each youth in the country because not everyone is academically successful in their education they may be inadequate in some areas but yet they are talented in other things.
