Dec. 21, 2004 — Seventeen-year-old Kristi Kae Krieger was crowned St. Croix Festival Queen Sunday night in pageant steeped in tradition and culture. The St. Croix Educational Complex senior will preside over all festivities for the 2004-2005 Crucian Christmas Festival. Festival Princess, Mystica Williams was also crowned at the queen pageant.
When her name was called as the winner, Krieger leaped into the air with surprise, her hands clasped over her mouth. She said later that she didn't think she had won the contest.
"I'm so excited." Krieger said she is ready to accept her duties a Festival Queen and not only for the Christmas season. "I want to be a different kind of Miss St. Croix," Krieger said. "I want to go to the schools and talk to the kids. I'm very excited."
The five-hour show began at about 5:30 p.m. Four talented young ladies sashayed to the rhythm of cultural vibes displaying their poise, speaking abilities, fashion sense, intellect and talent to the delight of a packed house at the Island Center for the Performing Arts. Culture was foremost on the minds of the competitors as they paraded their madras-inspired cultural costumes or entertained the audience with tales of Christmas festivities gone by.
Each contestant impressed the audience and each was rewarded by the judges for their efforts. Janeisha John, 17, was named first runner up, and won best cultural wear and best talent. Ivyliss Davis, also 17, placed second runner up and was judged most popular. Temisha Libert, 17, was named third runner up, Miss Intellect and Miss Congeniality.
The production number set the stage for the culturally inspired show. The contestants were identically dressed in white pants and crop tops trimmed with layers of traditional madras fabric.
In the swimsuit section the contestants turned the heat up as they took to the
stage in bright red swimsuits. In the cultural costume segment, the young women successfully brought the past to the present through costume designs that reflected the rich history of St. Croix. The contestants gave their interpretation of festival from a cultural standpoint in the speech section of the show. They recalled past festivals and attempted to convey the allure of the Crucian festival and noted the evolution of festival music. But all the contestants agreed, from the string banjo to the beat of the rhythm box, quelbe remains at the center of festival.
Contestants were judged on swim wear, cultural wear, speech, and talent. The winner and runners up will receive an undisclosed amount of cash and prizes.
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