The rainy weather didn’t cooperate for most of the Virgin Islands-Puerto Rico Friendship celebrations, forcing postponements of all outdoor activities. However, the annual Governor’s Awards reception and recognition ceremony went on as scheduled indoors at Government House.
Every year, the committee honors and recognizes contributions of families, individuals and even communities to the Virgin Islands. This year the committee chose to recognize four stellar students.
Close to 500 invited people filled the ballroom Sunday evening to honor the young people.
“We chose to honor four outstanding students who have excelled in school and the community all around,” said Lillian Bilardo O’Neal, the committee president. “This committee saw fit to honor and congratulate their parents too for supporting their children.”
Recognized were Ian Barrows, Biko McMillian, James Sneed, and Diana Cardenas, honored for their academic, artistic and athletic abilities.
Barrows, who is a 15-year-old student at Antilles School on St. Thomas, was recognized for his sailing skills. Barrows won a gold medal in sailing at the 2010 Youth Olympic Games in Singapore.
McMillian, a 14 -year-old student at St. Croix Educational Complex, said he was chosen for his musical and academic abilities taking part in quiz bowls and spelling bees. He plays the saxophone and flute and is the grandson of Stanley Jacobs, bandleader of Stanley & the Ten Sleepless Knights.
“I couldn’t believe I was chosen to be honored,” McMillian said. “I was surprised and in a state of shock.”
Sneed, a freshman at Miami Dade University majoring in physical therapy, was honored for excelling in sports. He said he is proudly representing the Virgin Islands as a draft pick for the Los Angeles Angels baseball team.
Cardenas, who is in the ninth grade at Good Hope School, is a straight A student and has represented St. Croix in territorial spelling bees. She plans to attend medical school.
Sen. Sammuel Sanes said it was good that the committee was honoring young people this year. “Too often we address the bad news of the young people,” Sanes said. “This is very uplifting. They are role models.”
The events that were postponed were the Family Fun Day at Whim Plantation, the opening of the Caribbean Museum Center for the Arts V.I.- P.R. art exhibit, a parade and the Friendship Village.
According to Vera M. Falu, past president of the Virgin Islands-Puerto Rico Friendship Committee, the recognition of the friendship between Crucians and Puerto Ricans began in 1964 with a small luncheon for a select few. Falu said that in 1978, the wife of Gov. Juan F. Luis, Luz Luis, decided there should be more events opened up to the public.
Music in Motion dancers and Mis Raices Dancers entertained the crowd and even got Gov. John deJongh Jr. and Lt. Gov. Gregory Francis up and twirling around. There was a mix of Crucian and Puerto Rican finger foods prepared by Wanda Belardo of J and W Catering.
