Carnival season officially kicked off on St. Thomas Saturday night with the coronation of this year’s Petite Princess, Princess, and Jr. Miss Queen — marking the first major event on the 2025 slate. Held at the University of the Virgin Islands’ Elridge Blake Sports and Fitness Center, the evening-long competition featured cultural couture, inspiring speeches, and dazzling performances from a group of young contestants who left it all on the stage.
Seven-year-old Skai A. Lewis, a second grader at Calvary Christian Academy, swept every major category in the Petite Princess division on her way to the crown. Lewis delivered strong showings in all judged segments, including promotional speech, wearable art, and evening wear. She also earned the Viya People’s Choice Award, along with Viya awards for Miss Photogenic, Miss Cooperative, and Miss Intellect. Her favorite segment, American Girl Wear with a Cultural Couture Flair, gave her the chance to celebrate identity and creativity – two values she brought to life throughout the night.
Six-year-old Suraia E. LaPlace Thomas, a student at Joseph Sibilly Elementary School, also competed in the Petite Princess division, bringing energy and charm to the stage. She was awarded Miss Congeniality.
In the Princess division, nine-year-old Kaysa R. Freeman of Ulla Muller Elementary School claimed the crown after winning every judged category, including cultural wear, talent, and prerecorded interview. Freeman, known for her love of twirling and gymnastics, also took home the Viya People’s Choice Award, along with Viya awards for Miss Photogenic, Miss Congeniality, Miss Cooperative, and Miss Intellect. Her performance echoed her favorite quote from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: “The time is always right to do what is right.”
Eight-year-old Emelia A. Brooks of Joseph Sibilly Elementary also competed in the Princess division and impressed with her poise and stage presence.
The Jr. Miss Queen competition, the night’s most competitive segment, featured four talented teens. Fifteen-year-old Jada-Marie Leila Donovan, a student at Charlotte Amalie High School, was crowned Jr. Miss Queen after earning top marks in couture wear with madras flair, evening wear, Miss Congeniality, and Miss Cooperative. Donovan, who enjoys dancing and painting, says her journey was inspired by a desire to thrive, not just survive — a nod to her favorite quote by Maya Angelou.
Thirteen-year-old Amaya S. Marks, a student at Calvary Christian Academy and a former Petite Princess titleholder, was named first runner-up. She also took home wins in talent, promotional speech, and Miss Photogenic, capturing the crowd with her energy and grace.
Second runner-up Alauna Petersen, also 13, attends Charlotte Amalie High School and said her inspiration came from a desire to celebrate and preserve Virgin Islands culture. She won the interview and cultural presentation categories, as well as Miss Intellect, Miss Cooperative, and the Viya People’s Choice Award. Fifteen-year-old Ayanna Saunders Gardner, a student at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic School was named third runner-up after delivering a confident, thoughtful performance grounded in her love for reading and baking.
