The second and final round of the contest took place at the host school’s location, Meridian International Elementary School and lasted for two days.  Each participant received a certificate of participation as well as a goodie-bag from Meridian.  The Award Ceremony, where the winners got to present their musical number again as well as receive their awards and certificates, took place at Ochota’s Youth Cultural Center (MDK).  The Mayor of Ochota also sponsored a small bag of Ochota souvenirs for each of the finalists.   

The jury was made up of three people: Ms. Eva Novak, Native English teacher from the United States and Class Teacher at Meridian Elementary School; Ms. Karolina Kozłowska, Music teacher at Meridian International Elementary School and violist with Theatre “Roma”; as well as Ms. Kayla Page, Native English teacher from the United States at Szkoła Języków Obcych “u Adwentystów” in Podkowa Leśna. 

These three ladies had the very difficult task of choosing just three winners from each of the two categories.  Besides the jury, many chaperons commented on the very high level represented by this year’s participants.  Each seemed exceptionally well prepared and gave a performance which was a pleasure for all to watch and listen to. 

When interviewed, many of the participants’ chaperones and teachers commented on how enjoyable they found the MESC as a venue where their students could present their talent to an audience representing various schools from the Ochota and general Warsaw area.  They also agreed that music is a very good tool to make use of when leaning languages as it surrounds us everyday in so much of what we do. 

The winners from the first category were:

                1^st place awarded to 3^rd grader Zuzia Zdunek from Niepubliczna Szkoła Podstawowa 31
                2^nd place awarded to 3rd grader Ewa Siemiątkowska from Kanadyjska Szkoła Podstawowa
                3^rd place awarded to 3rd grader Natalia Dude from Szkoła Podstawowa 118
                and Honorable Mention given to Nicole Carpenter, a 3^rd grader from Szkoła Podstawowa ABiS from Łódż.

The winners from the second category were:

                1^st place awarded to 4^th grader Aleksandra Pęksa from Szkoła Podstawowa 112
                2^nd place awarded to 5^th grader Maja Bodnar from Prywatna Szkoła Podstawowa 98 “Didasko”
                3^rd place awarded to 5^th grader Natalia Swiercz from Szkoła Podstawowa 112
                and Honorable Mention given to Helena Englert, a 5^th grader from Kanadyjska Szkoła Podstawowa

We look forward to hearing more young talent next year as we anticipate the 6^th annual MESC!