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HomeNewsArchivesMr. and Ms. St. Croix Contestants Gearing Up for Sunday Showdown

Mr. and Ms. St. Croix Contestants Gearing Up for Sunday Showdown

Dec. 12, 2006 — One of the largest pageants of the year is coming soon and organizers and contestants for Mr. and Ms. St. Croix are gearing up for their 54th year.
Pageant coordinator Merlisa George has been involved in the competition in one way or another for the past few years. After coaching a contestant in the 2004 competition, George wanted to understand the inner workings of the pageant. "I needed to be involved in the show to understand how the show was run," George said.
Former coordinators Claire Roker and Suzie Bough-James both decided they would not be able to do the show in 2005, so George saw that as her opportunity to get involved. "It went off really well," she said, even though some of her male contestants dropped out of the competition at the last minute. This year, George said, she has three great contestants for the Mr. St. Croix pageant.
The male segment of the pageant, originally designed by Roker and Bough-James, did not have any categories and was simply a popularity contest in which the winner was determined by the amount of tickets he could sell, George said. When she took over, the pageant was revamped to include an essay, introductory speech, cultural costume, talent, evening tuxedo and question-and-answer segments.
George is also incredibly proud of her four female contestants, who will be judged in the following categories: pre-pageant interview, introductory speech, business wear, platform presentation, swimwear, talent, evening wear and question-and-answer segments.
The show, hosted by Darren "Bogle" Stevens, will feature performances by the reigning Mr. and Ms. St. Croix, Music in Motion dancers and short fashion shows featuring Cindie's Models in the Isle and Divinely Yours.
George wants to remind all residents the show scheduled for 5 p.m. Sunday Dec. 17 at Island Center for the Performing Arts will begin on time.
Here is a list of the contestants:
Yairia Bermudez, 17 Ms. St. Croix Educational Complex
Melba Moore, 17 senior, St. Croix Educational Complex
Edrina White, 21 2004 graduate, St. Croix Educational Complex
Jawana Goodwin, 20 2006 graduate, St. Croix Central High School
Sonny Ortiz, 17 class president, St. Croix Central High School
Julio Petersen III, 17 vocal major, UVI
John Williams, 20 Calypso Monarch
Editors note: For complete Festival schedule click here.

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