The official kickoff to the Festival season started on Thursday night as the Prince and Princess, Duke, Duchess, Jr. Miss, and Tiny Tart pageant contestants hit the stage. It was also an opportunity to crown this year’s Miss St. Croix Festival Queen, Markeymah Cargile, who automatically received the crown due to lack of participation in the pageant.
After an almost eight-hour-long pageant, the following contestants reigned supreme for the 2024-2025 Crucian Christmas Festival Royal Court:
Tiny Tart: Z’haria Charles
Duchess: Ky’Junae Kween Zynique Patrice Brewster
Duke: Khari Newton
Princess: Deh’Jalise John-Baptiste
Prince: Noah Alexander Ramnarine Cebedo
Jr. Miss St. Croix: K’Asia Ronaé Alanna O’Bryan
Miss St. Croix Festival Queen: Markeymah Cargile
Contestants were judged in the categories of Cultural Wear, Talent, Fun Fashion School Wear, Introductory Speech, and Question and Answer, while Jr. Miss and Miss St. Croix had the additional categories of Bathing Suit Wear.
Cargile participated in these categories to showcase her talent, intellect, and beauty. She also had the opportunity to discuss her platform advocating for suicide prevention and to highlight how she uses dance as a positive outlet.
As the lengthy results announcement stretched nearly two hours, contestants were seen seated on stage, waiting for the final outcomes. Some frustrated audience members chose to leave the Village, while others remained to support their contestants. Master and Mistress of Ceremonies Pase Grande and Elaine Jn. Baptiste worked hard to entertain the crowd during the wait. Eventually, the winners were revealed for the new royal court.
To watch the pageant in its entirety, visit the official USVI Division of Festivals Facebook page here.
The Festival Village will continue into next week with a schedule packed with community events that can be seen here.
