On Saturday evening, two young ladies competed for the title of 2025 St. Thomas Ambassadorial Carnival Queen, and one secured the big title.
Arliesha Carjahn Paul, contestant number two, danced, played the saxophone, and modeled her way to the crown. Her runner-up, Ry’Dania Ciniza Molyneaux, also showcased a vibrant display of dance and modeling, making the competition a tight one to judge.
Both ladies first presented themselves to the audience at Antilles School during their introduction presentation, where they were attired in uniquely made dresses with madras, accessorized with matching headpieces. Molyneaux said she “will cook, serve and eat,” during the competition and Paul said she will “make waves and shake the tide.” Afterward, they came back on stage to join dancers for a dance presentation to the audience.
After the introduction segment, entertainment was provided by the Energique Dance Group. The contestants then appeared in their swimwear attire. Contestant number one, Molyneaux, donned an all-pink swimsuit and accessory — a huge pink hat with pink glitter fringes. Contestant number two, Paul, was robed in a silver cover-up revealing an orange swimsuit underneath.
During the ambassadorial presentation segment, Molyneaux, adorned in a royal blue and Virgin Islands madras, two-piece peplum skirt suit, spoke about various bush medicines to relieve medical ailments.
“The demand for herbal products has been on the rise,” she said.
She also highlighted that, “it is time for the Virgin Islands to focus on ecotourism.”
Paul, attired in a sky blue, two-piece peplum skirt suit, spoke about her “emeralds of the sea initiative” and highlighted the importance of the work the youth and junior ocean explorers programs at the University of the Virgin Islands do. Though she stumbled during her presentation, she pressed on to talk about her initiative.
“Imagine attractions that don’t just bring visitors to our shores but teach them to care for them,” said Paul. “The Virgin Islands can become more than just a destination for relaxation.”
Next, the contestants were judged on their onstage interview, where they were each asked three questions: an icebreaker, one about their platform, and a “common question.”
On her platform, Molyneaux was asked, “What are the key health benefits of using tea bush, and how do they contribute to one’s overall health?”
“They can help with digestive issues, diabetes, and even some cancers,” she said as part of her response.
Paul was asked, “What is the primary focus of her platform, and what would be her first step in implementing her vision.”
Her response was, “To ensure the Virgin Islands and our coral reefs are protected,” she said, while highlighting “reef bleaching and overfishing” as reasons to protect the reefs.
The common question for both ladies was, “How can leadership opportunities be expanded for young women in the Virgin Islands?”
Molyneaux’s response included her anecdote to “Look[ing] up to older Black women,” and said that, “if they had more role models, young ladies can feel more included.”
Paul’s response included, “By ensuring that women have a place,” and that women “aren’t being pushed out by the men in charge.”
During the middle of the competition, the territory’s reigning and aspiring royalties introduced themselves to the audience. Following this, the cultural dress segment commenced.
Molyneaux showcased her costume as a dress, identifying as a brown mahogany tree with branches sprouting from her back, swaying as she walked. Underneath her skirt revealed another, a blue, peach, and yellow pastel ruffled skirt topped with white doilies sitting on top of beige material. Two glass frames in the front center of her skirt displayed items made from mahogany wood, such as rocking chairs and dressers.
Paul was adorned in a vibrant and colorful display as a rainbow coral reef. Her dress displayed starfish and other sea life, which appeared to wave as she moved, discussing the importance of protecting our ocean life. Behind her, a colorful sunset and water teeming with sea life were shown.
During the segments, musical performances were provided by It Is What It Is Band, with a special appearance by Rudy Live. At one point, the band had members of the audience dancing during segment breaks as they played a medley of soca and ’80s dance songs, causing some to electric slide.
The talent segment was next and Molyneaux metaphorically appeared as a caged bird, depicting the Virgin Islands’ heritage being caged. She sang, played the keyboard, steel pan, and danced to the rhythm of drums and soca, adorned in an all white cultural ensemble which she later removed to reveal a lime green fringe dance outfit.
Paul came out in a burnt orange glitter pantsuit playing a saxophone. She highlighted different genres by playing jazz, a reggae song by Pressure Buss Pipe, and soca.
After some delay, there was a change in program where reigning queen, Majestik F. Estrada-Petersen, presented her final walk before the evening wear segment. Estrada-Petersen wore a silver and emerald green sequined gown as she noted her accomplishments and gave thanks to her supporters.
After another brief delay, the evening wear segment began. Contestant number one came out in an ombre blue gown, revealing a blue and silver crystal beaded A-line gown with a corset back.
Contestant number two, after disrobing from a silver cape, modeled a silver crystal gown with a high split, adorned with a bow that cascaded over the front and back of her right shoulder.
Finally, after the evening wear segment, awards were presented to the contestants. Miss Congeniality and Miss Cooperative were awarded to both contestants as a tie. Molyneaux won the Viya People’s Choice Award, Miss Photogenic, Best Cultural Dress, and Best Evening Wear awards, while Paul won the Ambassadorial Presentation, Onstage Interview, and Talent awards, and secured the 2025 St. Thomas Ambassadorial Carnival Queen title.
Paul is slated to have her reign for one year. More information about the Division of Festivals can be found on their website.
