Lionel Roberts Stadium was packed to capacity on Sunday, April 12th as children’s laughter, adults chatter and supporters’ cheers filled the air, as four exciting couples took the stage to showcase their poise, confidence, talent and intelligence. This was the day for which these children had been preparing for weeks and months, this was the Virgin Islands Prince and Princess Pageant 2009. The stars of this event were couple #1 Na’sinique Industrious and Irvin Mason Jr., couple #2 Tori Huyghue and Keon Hendrickson, couple #3 P’azhae Harrigan and Jahan Maduro-Warner and couple #4 Ahkayla Petersen and Jan Carlos Brito. The couples did not disappoint.

The large audience was entertained during the various segments by JDPP Jammers, the Anonymous dance group and of course, the mistress of ceremonies, Lilly Moolenaar. The four young couples dazzled the audience from the beginning with their presentation dance to the theme of Coney Island, Percy’s Bus Stop Lime. As they introduced themselves, it was quite obvious that the judges would not have an easy task.

The Sportswear segment was also quite entertaining as the contestants showcased middle age martial arts, the Wild, Wild West with the bull fighter and the rodeo clown, wrestle mania and the sport of polo. Their costumes were colorful and very creative. During the Cultural and Historical segment, the four couples displayed various aspects of Virgin Islands culture and history. Couple #1 portrayed Queen Mary and the historical fireburn, Couple #2 paid tribute to WSTA Radio Station, Couple #3 reminded us that the Food Mobile is indeed a part of our history, highlighting the famous chicken leg, and Couple #4 portrayed the colorful flavors of the popular children’s treat, the famous “Special”. These illustrations were quite clever.

The much anticipated talent segment was next, with the audience becoming more vocal with their appraisals. This segment saw a mixture of talent including dancing, singing, steel pan, keyboards, mocko jumbie dancing, acting and pantomiming. The talented couples used clever combinations of their talents to portray their various themes and to thrill the audience. This has always been one of the most popular segments of the Pageant.

The Evening Wear segment once again proved to be mesmerizing and dazzling. The four young couples were outstanding. The beautiful young ladies were dressed in princess-style full length gowns with all the adornments including ruffles, sequins and sparkling accessories. The choices of colors were coral, pink and yellow. The handsome and dashing young gentlemen were not to be outdone by their princesses. They were adorned in white tuxedos with inner shirts matching the gowns of their princesses, and some choosing to accessorize with top hats and matching canes. The audience showed their appreciation for the efforts of the young couples with their loud applause and cheers. The Question and Answer segment proved that these children could not be unnerved on the stage. They answered their questions with a calmness and intelligence far beyond their tender ages. By the end of the contest, it was quite difficult to determine which couple would emerge as the winners. Even the judges gave the young aspirants a standing ovation. As Princess Kyrelle Thomas, the 2008 Carnival Princess made her final walk, the large audience waited in anticipation of the final outcome.