April 14, 2003 – A tiny pair won big Sunday night at the 2003 Prince and Princess Selection Show before thousands of spectators and well-wishers at the Lionel Roberts Stadium.
K'Mani Dowe, a 7-year-old student at Kirwan Terrace Elementary School, and 8-year-old LaQuanda Fredericks, a student at Joseph Sibilly Elementary School, captured the titles of Carnival Prince and Princess. The pair also won Best Talent, Best Intellect and Most Cooperative Couple.
Five couples competed for the coveted titles. Jaime Donastorg, 10, and Jevanna Augustine, 11, were named first runner up and were also chosen the most photogenic couple. T'Koia Richardson, 9, and Kwane Barthlett, 8, were second runner up and also won Best Eveningwear.
After their victory the new prince and princess took a short stroll down the runway at center stage to receive the congratulations of about 2,500 people who sat through the four-hour competition. K'Mani took a moment to admire the pile of gifts and balloons lavished on them by parents, sponsors and supporters.
As photographers guided the couple to a pair of peacock chairs for a final round of victory shots, chaperone Elva Richards Huggins beamed nearby, calling her couple pleasant and easy to work with. "Everything is good about them," she said.
Moments later parents collected their contestants and led them down the stairs backstage where well-wishers clad in T-shirts bearing photos of their favorites gathered around for hugs and kisses.
Francisque Roberts, veteran committee chairwoman for the pageant, said she was encouraged by the level of participation in this year's event. "The last time we had five contestants was about eight years ago," she said. "It surprised me, really. I think everybody began to see how things were run and how much the kids enjoy it."
Members of the audience also expressed appreciation for the children's efforts. "It was very colorful; the children were full of energy," said Glenn "Kwabena" Davis, a member of the V.I. Carnival Committee. "I think we may have to do is look at timing, things like the various segments. This one lasted more than four hours, but this was one of the better prince and princess pageants."
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