June 22, 2002 – Wearing a stunning white gown made mostly of sheer organza that gave more than a glimpse of her legs and midriff, Hailey Kalahni Cagan triumphed over the other two contestants on Saturday night to capture the Miss St. John title and the right to reign over the 2002 St. John Festival.
The evening's activities at the Winston Wells Ballfield also saw the crowning of Princess Danella Bridgewater, selected by default when the princess selection committee did not come up with enough contestants to hold a pageant.
Hailey, a 16-year-old Ivanna Eudora Kean High School student who wants to be an educator, also won the talent portion of the contest with her rendition of "Wind Beneath My Wings" in a vocal tribute to the Sept. 11 heroes. With a backdrop of American flags and white banners with gold stars, she graced the stage in a red, white and blue costume with flowing sheer sleeves. "It could have been my island … I thought things like this didn't happen here in America," she said.
She carried the tribute theme through in her International Wear segment, where, dressed in verdigris lame with a copper lame torch, she took to the stage as the Statue of Liberty. "It is a lasting memorial to independence from France," she said.
The other two contestants captured the spirit of China in their International Wear. Emily Simone Jeffrey wore a traditional Chinese dress in red accented by a huge gold fan attached to her back. The fan carried a dragon. "The Chinese people are deeply rooted in their commitment to family," Jeffrey said, noting that she shared that commitment. Laurie Laurencia Joseph wore a costume that featured a huge Chinese dragon complete with lengthy tongue.
The "tribute to America" theme was in evidence throughout the event. Adorning the stage were numerous small U.S. flags and red, white and blue balloons with starbursts. The contestants made their opening appearances in red- and blue-sequined outfits as they danced to rhumba music. Laurie's white swimsuit carried a stylized version of the American flag. The other young women both wore blue tank suits.
Emily, 16, a Eudora Kean student who plans to be a nurse, took home the Miss Photogenic, Miss Intellect and Best Evening Wear prizes. Quick thinking, she came up with handy answers to master of ceremonies Irvin "Brownie" Brown's question of what she would do to improve the territory's economy in the wake of Sept. 11. "Leaders are already taking steps," she answered in words that must have pleased the politicians in the audience. But she added that famous Virgin Islanders should promote the territory, and the Tourism Department should place additional advertising in the national media.
Her evening wear outfit was a sophisticated teal number that shimmered with sequins and glass beads as she strolled around the stage trailing a small train. Slim fitting, it left bare a portion of her midriff.
Laurie, 17, a Kean student who aspires to a career in gynecology, walked off with the Miss Popularity and Miss Congeniality prizes dressed in a rose velvet strapless evening gown. Her talent segment caught the audience's attention. Wearing a cook's white dress covered with an apron and stirring a big metal pot, she took pot shots at many of the territory's issues. "I hear say nobody can have a business in Fish Bay, but Rutnik got one," she said, referring to the fact that Licensing and Consumer Affairs Commissioner Andrew Rutnik operates a plant nursery at his Fish Bay home.
She also noted allegations that the Police Department and Fire Service brass send their troublesome workers to St. John. "And when they really bad, they go to Coral Bay," she said, as the huge audience howled.
Emily also addressed societal ills in a voice and interpretive dance piece. "Two of my best friends died this week — one of a drug overdose and one was shot," she said.
In addition to the contestant segments, the audience saw entertainment by the popular St. Thomas band P'Your Passion, dances by Special Affects and the Infernos, and a performance by the St. John Majorettes. And while umbrellas went up for a few light sprinkles, the 2002 Queen Show came off without any major downpours to dampen spirits and smiles.
Publisher's note : Like the St. John Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
