Feb. 11, 2008 — Hoping to make this year's Carnival festivities bigger and better than ever before, the St. Thomas Carnival Committee drew hundreds of community members into Tutu Park Mall's center courtyard over the weekend to announce the contestants for the 2008 Carnival Princess competition.
The event got under way with remarks from ringmaster Leonard Jackson, who called committee president Kenneth Blake to the microphone. Blake explained that a lack of applications made it impossible for the 2008 Prince Competition to be held this year, but added that the selection for this year's princess will kickoff at Lionel Roberts Stadium on April 6 at 5 p.m.
Flanked by members of the Sebastian Majorettes, each princess nominee was introduced by Prince and Princess Committee Chairwoman Canika George-John, who said the organization had received "tons of applications" over the past few months from young ladies who wanted to compete.
After hip-hop performances by the Tumbling Trio and break dancer Lorenzo Donastorg, gymnast Cubie Ayah George also awed the crowd with acrobatic tricks as she hung, upside down, on a rope attached to the mall's ceiling. Dressed in a sparkling red and silver costume, George later danced gracefully around the nominees as each one picked out their contestant number.
Running in this year's race are:
— Contestant No.1: Yaritza Turado, sponsored by Diamonds International;
— Contestant No.2: Kayla Heyliger, sponsored by Metro Motors;
— Contestant No.3: La Kiyyah Stubbs, sponsored by Boolchand's; and
— Contestant No.4: Kyrell Thomas, sponsored by Marianne's.
Sticking to the theme of this year's festivities, each contestant invited the audience to join them on a "Cultural Escape for 2008." Decked out in a black and white polka-dot dress, Turado, 10, described herself as a cooperative, self-motivated and determined honor roll student.
"Hard work and dedication feed my intellectual appetite," she added, as the crowd showered her with applause and loud shouts.
With her soft voice and shy gaze, seven-year old Heyliger also elicited much support from the audience.
"I'm excited and ready to be your princess," she said.
Dressed in pink, nine-year-old La Kiyyah Stubbs told the audience that she would be taking them on a "one-two, buckle my shoe journey" to a "cultural escape."
"I can sing and dance, and enjoy reading the Bible," Stubbs, who attends Calvary Christian Academy, said. "Carnival is here, so let's celebrate."
Stubbs also reminded the audience to play it safe during the upcoming festival season.
"Remember, don't drink and drive," she added.
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