Monday 29th October, 2007- St. George’s: Caribbean students at Midwestern State University showed off their culture to appreciative Texans as over 2000 onlookers enjoyed the 10th annual CaribFest on October 3rd, 2007.  The carnival like atmosphere featured steel band, a street parade, jab jab, shortknee, sensay, masquerade, and all the favorites of the OECS territories.

CaribFest began a decade ago as an initiative of CSO president Neville Thomas from Grenada.  The original creator, Neil Cochrane went on to serve as carnival committee chair in Antigua for the past two years since returning to his homeland six years ago after graduation.  It has become the biggest cultural festival on Midwestern campus attracting news coverage from local television and radio stations.  
 
The festival featured foods from all the Caribbean islands as well as cultural presentations, flag wavers and a calypso show.  Grenadians stood out at the event for the second year in a row as Debbie Neckles, a social work senior from Grenada was named calypso monarch.  She triumphed well ahead of the field with runner up Khan Latouche, who is the current organization president and Che Phillip, political science graduate student, all from Grenada.
 

Over 250 Caribbean students currently attend Midwestern State University as part of a program that began in 1993.  Almost 800 students have enrolled in the program.  CaribFest is one of several cultural and social activities hosted by the Caribbean Students Organization, according to PRO Nefer McIntyre, also a Grenadian.  The funds garnered from this program have provided equipment and support for charitable ventures in the Caribbean and throughout the world.  Recently, the group adopted and funded amenities for an orphanage that houses 30 abandoned children.
 
Regional governments have supported the program with contributions and logistical support.