St. Croix’s culture bearers and musicians joined students as they celebrated the tradition and history of the Virgin Islands during March.
From a large pot of homemade kallaloo to the modeling of cultural wear and headdresses, culture was alive at the Elena Christian and John H. Woodson junior high schools, at Juanita Gardine Elementary School and St. Croix Central High School, according to the Department of Education.
Elena Christian’s cultural day Tuesday, March 14, titled, “A Blast From the Past, 10 Decades of Our Culture” drew support from community members, such as storyteller Jahmilia Greenway, We Deh Yah Dancers and Pat Browne, who demonstrated how to tie a headdress. There was Cariso singing, steel pan playing, fire dancing, mocko jumbie performances and a cultural wear fashion show as part of the affair. The youthful Sweet Peppa and Mini Peppa Quelbe bands took the celebration to a vibrant finale, providing music for the school’s Quadrille and Maypole dancers.
A V.I. History Month Centennial Program was held at the Juanita Gardine Elementary School on Wednesday, March 15, titled, “Our Lives, Our Culture–Celebrating 100 Years in the Virgin Islands of the United States of America.” The sounds of the St. Croix Central High School’s Conch Shell Blowers, guided by DeJesus Espinosa, echoed through the school’s auditorium, triggering a spark of cultural excitement that permeated the celebration. Student performances took center stage with poetry, skits, steel pan playing and Quadrille dancing. The school’s original centennial song, “100 Years,” made the spotlight as 6th graders belted out the lyrics to music teacher Otis Gibbs’ composition. A masquerading presentation by cultural bearers of the art form held students in awe as they enjoyed Virgin Islands’ traditions real time. The masqueraders were Joan Paulus, Mirza Saldana, Asta Williams and Sonia Griles.
“A Taste of Woodson,” Thursday, March 16, brought students and visitors to the school’s courtyard to sample food that teased their cultural appetite, while the school’s Maypole and steel pan provided entertainment. Students relished local tarts, candies and cakes prepared by La-Verne Y. Bates; and pates, shish kabobs and beverages served by members of the school’s clubs and other vendors.
St. Croix Central High School Social Studies Department didn’t let up on with its observance of Virgin Islands History Month. Teachers went all out to ensure that students had a fun-filled day while getting a solid grip of their rich cultural heritage. The school’s cultural presentation at the stage in the front lawn on Friday, March 17, titled, “Learning from the Past and Preparing for Our Future,” saw performances from several school and community groups, including the Filipino Dancers.
The elementary school most represented at the high school cultural affair was Ricardo Richards, which brought out Masqueraders, African Dancers and a presentation of the “Historical Timeline of the Virgin Islands.” The community-based Ay-Ay Quadrille dancers set the pace for Quadrille groups from the St. Croix Educational Complex and St. Croix Central High to follow. Mocko jumbies danced high above spectators. Local favorites Stanley and the Sleepless Knights provided live music for most of the performances.
Temisha Libert, who with the stage name “Caribbean Queen” is the 2017 St. Croix Festival Calypso Champion, enlightened the students with strong lyrics from her winning compositions. Musical performances by individuals and groups, such as the CHS Jazz Band and the popular Stylee Band, closed out the day of cultural awareness at the St. Croix Central High School.
Celebrations continue in St. Croix schools next week too.
The Eulalie R. Rivera Elementary School will commemorate 100 years of the transfer of the U.S. Virgin Islands from Denmark to the United States with a celebration Monday, March 27, in the school’s cafeteria. The theme for the commemoration will be “Celebrating Our Past Today, To Build a Brighter Tomorrow.” The day’s events include workshops by culture bearers in the morning and musical entertainment by the school and community groups in the afternoon.
Tuesday, Pearl B. Larsen Elementary will hold storytelling with culture bearers Janice Tutein, Norma Llanos and Lenore Pemberton.
Wednesday, Lew Muckle Elementary School, St. Croix Educational Complex and Larsen will hold history and cultural programs, and Larsen is having a cultural wear day with students and staff sporting lots of madras.
Thursday, March 30, Larsen is having “A Taste of Pearl B. Larsen School,” with lots of local food.
Alexander Henderson Elementary will hold a cultural parade and St. Joseph High School is having a cultural day.
