Back in 2003, DJ Jerry entered the Heineken Green Synergy competition because he desperately wanted to pursue an internship at FAME FM, his favourite radio station. "When I heard about the internship being at FAME, I had to enter," he said.

He was to discover that just getting into the competition was a task itself. It was not until 2006 that he got the call. Still, he fell short of his dream when he was toppled by DJ Nico, who won the competition that year.

But the 29-year-old DJ Jerry, who grew up in Cassia Park, would not relent. In the intervening years, he played at a few clubs but mostly played on two sound systems - Magic Touch and Mega Force - honing his skills while waiting for the next opportunity to come his way. In the 2010 edition of HGS, he feels he is ready to go one better than he was able to four years ago. "I knew my music then and I had a little bit of skill, but I have been learning more, especially about the different genres," he said. "I have learned a lot about how to play and mix dance music. You have to be patient so I have learned how to be patient."

skills

Jerry always believed he would do well this year. "I pretty much knew I was going to get far," he said, explaining that this year the competition is more about the individual's skills as opposed to his ability to clash with and defeat other disc jocks. "I am glad I am here again."

Growing up in Cassia Park, DJ Jerry, born Jerry Whyte, was also into his music, and becoming a disc jock was always his main ambition. While a student of Tarrant High, he would 'fool around' music until he was 16 and decided to pursue a career as a full-time disc jock. Fourteen years later, this continues to be his ambition. He currently has a job at Campbell's Office Supplies, but works as a disc jockey at nights.

Winning the Heineken Green Synergy competition, he said, would open doors for him to pursue long-held dreams.

"I want to play at Margaritaville. I have always wanted to play there and if I win I think it would create an opportunity for me to do so," he said. He also sees winning this contest as a chance for him to travel to the United States and Europe where he plans to show off his skills, playing in some of the best nightclubs there.