Dec. 5, 2005 – Aliya Jackson, 9 and Maleek Matthew, 10, bested three other couples to win the title of 2005-2006 Crucian Christmas Festival Prince and Princess in a contest Sunday night in front of a packed audience. The couple also won the Congeniality and Popularity awards.
Rochanna Johnson, 8 and Lakish Plante, 10, were named first runners up and most photogenic. Two other couples; 8-year-old Teresa Cuencas and 8-year-old Akeem Crispin and Ahvitahl Alverez and Justin Davis both 10-years-old also competed in the competition.
Jackson and Matthew wowed the crowd with their talent, dressed as purple butterflies in a tropical garden, they danced together and Matthew played the piano while Jackson showcased her ballet skills.
The couple's formal cultural wear featured a yellow and red madras print accenting the sleeves and over skirt of Jackson's white lace dress. Jackson carried a white lace fan and topped off her ensemble with a white hat trimmed in red satin. Mathew complimented his partner's attire with a matching madras waistcoat and a red cummerbund over white pants and a white lace ascot shirt.
Johnson and Plante showed their versatility as they sang, danced and played the steel pans in their talent presentation. In the formal cultural wear segment both wore white outfits accented by blue, green and red madras print. Plante topped his white tuxedo with a white top hat and Johnson's multi tiered white lace dress was belted with a madras sash. Her madras hat was accented by satin flowers.
The contestants began their performance with an prelude performance. The girls were dressed in long madras skirts with matching head ties and white ruffled blouses while the boys wore black slacks and madras shirts. The four contestants danced a quadrille form, following the instructions of an off stage caller. When the dance was finished the contestants introduced themselves the packed house.
The competition, which was held at the St. Croix Educational Complex, was set to begin at 3 p.m., but the curtains did not open for the first performance until an hour and a half later.
According to the official program booklet the winners received computers, printers, watches, jewelry a crown, a tiara, a scepter, capes, flowers, trophies and sashes. The first runners up received portable DVD players, watches, jewelry, flowers, trophies and sashes. Other participants received Compact Disc Walkmen, watches, jewelry, flowers and trophies.
The newly crowned Prince and Princess will preside over all Festival activities.
Check back frequently to the Source for all your 2005-2006 St. Croix Festival highlights. See the complete schedule
here.
Back Talk
Share your reaction to this news with other Source readers. Please include headline, your name and city and state/country or island where you reside.
